Pancreatitis is a condition exhibited by inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that mainly produces digestive enzymes and certain hormones. Dietary interventions are an important part of pancreatitis management. Pancreatitis can be both acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis is temporary and reversible, while chronic pancreatitis is long-lasting and can progress over time. Pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones, alcohol abuse, medications, trauma, infections, genetics, and recurrent acute pancreatitis flares. Certain foods worsen pancreatitis symptoms or lead to pancreatitis flare-ups. This article provides an overview of pancreatitis and dietary management.

What Foods Should I Eat On A Pancreatitis Diet?

Pancreatitis management varies depending on the severity of the flare-up and the unique set of symptoms you are experiencing. A low-fat diet is the main focus because it is more challenging for the pancreas to produce enzymes to break down fat, which can put stress on the pancreas and make recovery more difficult. Below are the foods you should eat on a pancreatitis diet.

Low Fat Foods

A low-fat diet generally contains no more than 30g of fat per day. Referencing the food label is one way to detect how much fat you are consuming. In general, a 5% daily value or less of a nutrient is considered low fat, but remember, it depends on the amount of food you consume.

Lean Meat

Lean meats include skinless chicken breast, turkey breast, lean fish, shrimp, 95% lean beef, center-cut pork, and lean deli meat. Choose leaner cuts, trim visible fat, and use low fat cooking methods like grilling, baking, broiling, steaming, or poaching.

Low Fat Yogurt

Use fat-free or low-fat dairy products, including low-fat Greek yogurt, skim milk, 1% milk, low-fat cheese, buttermilk made from fat-free or 1% fat milk, low-fat frozen yogurt, and fat-free and low-fat ice cream.

What Foods to Avoid?

Avoiding high-fat foods such as fried and greasy foods, fast food, and processed foods can help manage symptoms of pancreatitis because it reduces the demand of the pancreas and, therefore, prevents further inflammation.

High Fat Foods

Common high-fat foods include bacon, sausage, and fatty cuts of beef and pork. Additionally, high-fat dairy products such as whole milk, cream cheese, and full-fat yogurt should be avoided. In general, avoid products that have 20% daily value or more of fat.

Fried and Greasy Foods

Avoid fried and greasy food, including french fries, potato chips, chicken wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, fried fish, and deep-fried foods. Cooking at home can be a great way to avoid these foods because it allows you to control the cooking method. When eating out, choose lean meats, grilled sandwiches, roasted options, or salads as a way to level up your meal.

Processed Foods

Processed foods, including packaged snacks, frozen meals, and processed meats like hot dogs, should be avoided. It may be possible to find lower fat alternatives that fit the diet by reading the nutrition label. Focus on eating whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Shopping the perimeter of the grocery store can help you find nutrient-dense foods, level up your pancreatitis diet, and improve symptom management.

7 Day Meal Plan

This seven-day meal plan includes smaller, more frequent meals or snacks and is lower in fat to reduce risk of a pancreatitis flare.

Sunday –

Breakfast: 1C oatmeal with almond milk, 1.5C raspberries, 5oz low fat Greek yogurt

Snack: 1/2C unsweetened applesauce + 10 almonds

Lunch: 4oz grilled chicken breast + 1C steamed broccoli + 1/2C cooked brown rice

Snack: 1oz low-fat string cheese + 1/2C blueberries

Dinner: 4oz grilled salmon + 1C mashed potatoes + 1C steamed green beans

Monday –

Breakfast: 1C cream of wheat + 2 scrambled egg whites (avoid egg yolks) + 1 banana

Snack: 1C low-fat greek yogurt 

Lunch: 4oz tilapia + 1 small baked potato + 1C steamed broccoli

Snack: 1/2C blueberries + 12 walnuts

Dinner: 4oz baked turkey breast, 1/2C rice, 1C steamed spinach

Tuesday –

Breakfast: 3 egg white omelet with spinach and tomato + 2 slices whole grain toast

Snack: 1 small apple + 1oz low fat cheese

Lunch: 4oz grilled chicken + 1C steamed cauliflower + 1/2C brown rice

Snack: 1/2C low fat cottage cheese + 1/2C canned peaches

Dinner: 4oz baked cod + 1C roasted potatoes + 1C steamed asparagus

Wednesday –

Breakfast: 1/2C low fat Greek yogurt + 1/2C granola + 1/2C blueberries

Snack: 1C grapes + 1oz cheese stick

Lunch: 1 1/2C lentil soup + 5 saltine crackers + 1 side salad with light dressing

Snack: 1/2C sliced cucumbers with  low-fat dip + 2 boiled egg whites

Dinner: 4oz baked turkey + 1/2C quinoa + 1C carrots

Thursday –

Breakfast: 1/2C grits + 2 scrambled egg whites + 1C skim milk

Snack: 1/2C pineapple chunks + 1/2C cottage cheese

Lunch: 4oz baked turkey breast + 1 slice low fat Swiss cheese + lettuce/tomato + 2 slices whole wheat bread

Snack: 1/2 C low fat greek yogurt + 1/2C raspberries

Dinner: 4oz grilled shrimp + 1/2C brown rice + 1C steamed broccoli

Friday –

Breakfast: 1/2C oatmeal + 1/2C canned peaches + 12 almonds

Snack: 1/2C watermelon + 1oz cheese stick

Lunch: 4oz turkey breast + 1 whole grain tortilla + 1C spinach with light dressing

Snack: 1 small pear + 1/2C low fat greek yogurt

Dinner: 4oz baked cod + 1/2C mashed potatoes + 1C steamed carrots

Saturday –

Breakfast: 1/2C Greek yogurt + 1/2C oats + 1/2C sliced strawberries

Snack: 1/2C applesauce + 12 almonds

Lunch: 4oz grilled chicken breast + 1/2C brown rice + 1C sugar snap peas

Snack: 1/2C blueberries + 1oz low fat cheese

Dinner: 4oz baked cod + 1/2C quinoa + 1 side salad with light dressing

How Does the 7 Day Meal Plan Help With Pancreatitis Symptoms?

A 7-day meal plan can help manage pancreatitis symptoms by providing a concrete nutrition guide. The plan includes low-fat meals to help reduce stress on the pancreas. Following a meal plan also ensures you’re getting nutritionally dense foods and avoiding foods that could worsen symptoms.

Why is a Low Fat Diet Important to Someone with Pancreatitis?

High fat foods worsen pancreatitis symptoms or lead to worsening pancreatic disease. Dietary choices that limit fat intake play a crucial role in managing acute and chronic pancreatitis.

How Can A Registered Dietitian Help With Managing Pancreatitis?

The effects of pancreatitis are different for each person. Working with a dietitian such as those at Sarah Lynn Nutrition can be effective in helping you manage your unique symptoms and follow the proper diet. You can also visit the National Pancreas Foundation for more information on how you can effectively manage pancreatitis. Making a nutrition plan for pancreatitis can reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being, empowering you to take control of your health.

Sources

Dairy products: Milk, yogurt and cheese. www.heart.org. (2023, December 20). https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/dairy-products-milk-yogurt-and-cheese

Program, H. F. (n.d.). How to understand and use the nutrition facts label. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label