Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Produces enzymes involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Mistakes in diet, cravings for spicy and fatty foods, smoking and alcohol abuse, uncontrolled medication - all these factors cause the development of pancreatitis.
How to recognize pancreatitis and what diet patients should follow, we will tell in this article.
How do you know if you have pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Its symptoms vary depending on the form.
The acute form is expressed by severe pain in the waist in the upper abdomen. Pain syndrome occurs when you eat something fatty or drink alcohol. Nausea and vomiting begin, stool problems.
In chronic pancreatitis the pain is localized at the top of the peritoneum, radiating to the back, left side of the chest, lower abdomen. Discomfort is also observed after consuming fatty, heavy foods, alcohol, as well as in the background of frequent stress.
Signs of acute pancreatitis:
- Strong persistent pain around.
- Increased body temperature.
- Increase in blood pressure.
- Pale or yellow complexion.
- Intense vomiting, no relief.
- Constipation, bloating, salivation.
Signs of chronic pancreatitis:
- Abdominal pain after eating. Locally or surrounding, it extends to the back.
- The heat causes stomach pain, while the cold relieves it.
- The patient assumes a forced position - the position of the knee and elbow, or a sitting position with a forward bend.
- Vomiting, diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
It doesn't matter what form of the disease you have - acute or chronic. You need to be selective about the foods you eat and stick to your diet.
Which diet is indicated for pancreatitis
The following dietary modifications are recommended to prevent exacerbations of pancreatitis:
- Meals 4-5 times a day with an even distribution of foods containing fat in the diet;
- refusal to overeat;
- balanced diet;
- restriction of saturated fats and cholesterol;
- inclusion in the diet of a sufficient amount of various plant fibers - cereals, vegetables and fruits;
- eating a variety of foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol (unrefined vegetable fats are somewhat limited only in overweight people).
Which products are allowed
It is wrong to think that patients with pancreatitis are "deprived" of tasty and varied food. In fact, the list of permitted foods is quite extensive.
So you can eat:
- Dry white bread, cookies.
- Vegetable soups with noodles, semolina, oatmeal.
- Lean meat.
- Lean fish, aspic.
- Porridge (buckwheat (mashed), oatmeal, semolina, rice).
- Fresh cheese, cereal puddings and pans.
- Milk and fermented milk products not more than 2% fat.
- Eggs.
- Vegetables.
- Ripe and non-acidic varieties of fruits and berries.
- Butter and vegetable oil.
- Weak tea, non-carbonated mineral water, rosehip broth, juices diluted with water in a ratio of 50 to 50).
Food needs to be wiped, boiled, steamed. You cannot eat hot and cold food. The optimum temperature is 30-50 ° C. Do not overeat, eat in part.
What foods should be discarded?
Worsening occurs when the diet and intake are disturbed:
- fatty, fried foods,
- hot spices,
- a large number of raw vegetables, fruits,
- muffins and sweets (cakes, pies, cakes),
- alcohol,
- carbonated drinks,
- whole milk
Sample menu for patients with pancreatitis
- Breakfast: Milk porridge / milk soup with noodles / cooked noodles. Tea with milk. Dry bread.
- Dinner: Mashed vegetable soup, boiled rice / mashed potatoes, boiled fish / meat. Tea.
- Afternoon snack: Cottage cheese pan, jelly / jelly.
- Dinner: vegetable salad with olive oil, cooked meat / fish, jelly.
Necessary snacks. Between meals, eat baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, biscuits.
Keep in mind that medication and diet are equally important. With nutritional therapy, the pancreas returns to normal, avoiding worsening of the disease. In that case, do not engage in self-medication! If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, see a doctor.