Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It produces enzymes that are 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 intake of medication - all of these factors provoke the development of pancreatitis.
This article will tell you how to diagnose pancreatitis and what diet patients should follow.
How do you know if you have pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Its symptoms vary in form.
The acute form is expressed by strong girdle pain in the upper abdomen. Pain syndrome occurs when you eat anything fatty or drink alcohol. Begins nausea and vomiting, fecal problems.
In chronic pancreatitis the pain is localized in the upper part of the peritoneum, radiating to the back, to the left side of the chest, to the lower abdomen. Discomfort is observed even after eating fatty, heavy foods, alcohol, as well as against the background of frequent stress.
Signs of acute pancreatitis:
- Strong constant pain all around.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Increase in blood pressure.
- Pale or yellow in color.
- Intense vomiting, does not relieve.
- Constipation, flatulence, salivation.
Signs of chronic pancreatitis:
- Pain in the abdomen after eating. Local or bordered, spreading on the back.
- Fever causes stomach pain, while cold relieves it.
- The patient assumes a forced position - a knee-elbow position, or a sitting position bent forward.
- Vomiting, diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
It does not matter what form of disease you have - acute or chronic. You need to be selective about the foods you eat and follow your diet.
What diet is indicated during pancreatitis
The following dietary changes are recommended for the prevention of exacerbation of pancreatitis:
- Meals 4-5 times a day, with equal distribution of fat-containing foods in the ration;
- Refuse to overeat;
- Balanced diet;
- Limit saturated fats and cholesterol;
- Include a sufficient amount of various plant fibers in the diet - cereals, vegetables and fruits;
- Eat a variety of foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol (unrefined vegetable fats are somewhat limited only in overweight people).
What products are allowed
It is a misconception that people with pancreatitis are "deprived" of tasty and varied foods. In fact, the list of permitted foods is quite extensive.
So you can enjoy:
- Dry white bread, cakes.
- Vegetable soups with porridge, semolina, oatmeal.
- Lean meat.
- Lean fish, aspic.
- Porridge (buckwheat (puree), oatmeal, semolina, rice).
- Cottage cheese, cereal puddings and casseroles.
- Milk and fermented dairy products with no more than 2% fat.
- eggs.
- Vegetables.
- Ripe and non-acidic varieties of fruits and berries.
- Butter and vegetable oil.
- Weak tea, real mineral water, rose broth, water-diluted juices in a ratio of 50 to 50).
Food needs to be crushed, boiled, steamed. You can not eat hot or cold food. The optimum temperature is 30-50 ° C. Do not eat too much, serve in fractions.
What food should be destroyed?
Exacerbation occurs during eating and eating disorders:
- Fatty, fried foods,
- Hot spices,
- Large quantities of raw vegetables, fruits,
- Muffins and sweets (cakes, pies, cakes),
- Alcohol,
- soda,
- Whole milk
Sample menu for patients with pancreatitis
- Breakfast: Milk porridge / Milk soup porridge / Boiled porridge. Tea with milk. Dry bread.
- Dinner: Vegetable puree soup, boiled rice / potato puree, boiled fish / meat. Tea.
- Afternoon snack: Cottage cheese casserole, jelly / jelly.
- Dinner: Vegetable salad with olive oil, cooked meat / fish, jelly.
Need snacks. Serve baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, biscuits between meals.
Keep in mind that medication and diet are equally important. Nutrition therapy returns the pancreas to a normal state, preventing the aggravation of the disease. In this case, do not engage in self-medication! If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, consult your doctor.