The pancreas is a very small, but capricious gland, and if everything is not in order with it, a person will have to abstain from many of his favorite dishes and products. In order not to cause acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, you must follow a diet commonly called the 5P table.
What can you eat if you have pancreatitis? We will talk about this in this article. Let's consider the most frequently asked questions about prohibited and permitted foods for this disease.
What vegetables can you eat?
tomatoes
Can you eat tomatoes if you have pancreatitis? As for tomatoes, the opinions of nutritionists are divided: some believe that they are very useful because they contain delicate fiber, which is so necessary for the gastrointestinal tract, and remove harmful cholesterol from the blood, which is very important for the pancreas.
Others believe that it is worth refraining from using them, especially during an acute process or even a mild exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. You should definitely not eat green tomatoes, which contain many toxins that overload all organs of the digestive system.
But fresh tomato juice made from ripe tomatoes (not juice from an industrial bag, but squeezed from fresh tomatoes) turns out to be a very valuable product that stimulates the pancreas, especially when mixed with freshly squeezed carrot juice. You can also eat boiled or roasted tomatoes. But in everything, moderation must be observed: the abuse of even healthy foods can affect the functioning of the pancreas.
Tomato juice is choleretic, that is, choleretic. If you drink during an exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, it will probably be even worse, as secondary reactive pancreatitis will develop, as with cholelithiasis. Excess bile will be released into the common pancreatic duct, where it will activate pancreatic enzymes, which will digest not the food in the small intestine, but the gland itself. The result is acute pancreatitis, a stretcher, an operating table for pancreatic necrosis, and then disability or death.
So, tomatoes and tomato juice are allowed in remission of chronic pancreatitis, when there is no pain, no swelling on ultrasound, no increase in amylase, diastase, elastase and other signs of inflammation.
All recommendations in this article are indications for table 5P for chronic pancreatitis during the recovery period after an exacerbation and outside of an exacerbation. To avoid acute pancreatitis, you should not drink alcoholic beverages (especially strong drinks) and certain medications.
cucumbers
If you have pancreatitis, can you eat cucumber or not? Cucumber, despite being 90% water, is actually very rich in microelements and vitamins. You can eat cucumber for this disease, in addition, for treatment, a cucumber diet for pancreatitis is sometimes prescribed, when a person eats 7 kg of cucumber per week, this unloads the pancreas and prevents inflammatory processes in it. Once again, let's talk about the fact that everything is useful in moderation: with excessive consumption of cucumbers, especially if they contain nitrates or, even worse, pesticides, the benefits are reduced to zero.
Cabbage
Is it possible to eat cabbage and broccoli if you have pancreatitis? Cauliflower, broccoli and bok choy can be eaten, but they are best stewed or boiled. Ordinary white cabbage, with which we are most familiar, has very hard fiber, therefore it is forbidden to eat it raw, but after heat treatment it can also be rarely consumed. And of course, don't forget that you should avoid fried vegetables. And it's best to avoid sauerkraut, as it really irritates the mucous membranes. Peking cabbage can sometimes be consumed raw, but any type of cabbage should be introduced into the diet after an exacerbation with caution.
Is sea kale healthy? The answer from nutritionists is yes, it is the healthiest of all types, as it contains a very large amount of cobalt and nickel, without which the normal functioning of the gland is impossible. Is it possible to eat seaweed if you have pancreatitis? Yes, . . . only for residents of Southeast Asia (Japan), as the enzyme systems there are different from those in Europe. Even on medicines in pharmacies in Japan they indicate that they may not help Europeans. Therefore, you should not eat seaweed during pancreatitis, especially during an exacerbation. It is not like other types of cabbage, this product is closer to mushrooms, that is, its use will require a massive release of pancreatic enzymes, which will worsen inflammation. Therefore, seaweed, like mushrooms, is not given to children under 12 years of age (they do not have the appropriate enzymes) and are contraindicated for pancreatitis.
What fruits can you eat for pancreatitis?
It is undesirable to consume all acidic fruits, especially those with coarse fiber, especially during exacerbations. You can eat fruit only 10 days after the onset of pancreatitis remission. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, you should also not overuse different fruits, just eat 1 of the permitted fruits per day. Of course, in terms of the content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals they have no equal and are therefore useful for the gland, but the presence of coarse fibers impairs its functioning:
- You can eat: strawberries, sweet green apples, papaya, pineapple, avocado, watermelon
- You can not eat: pears, all types of citrus fruits, sour apples, peaches, plums, cherry plums, mangoes
- During remission, experiments with eating various fruits are allowed, as long as they are heat treated - in a water bath, oven.
There are certain rules when and how to eat fruit with pancreatitis:
- Permitted fruits must be chopped, ground and crushed as completely as possible.
- Best consumed after roasting in the oven or steamer
- You shouldn't eat more than one fruit a day
- You must know exactly the list of permitted and prohibited fruits and know the medicines that should be taken if you accidentally eat an unwanted fruit.
Is it possible to eat strawberries and bananas with pancreatitis and why? Most nutritionists believe that the pancreas, without worsening pancreatitis, can handle strawberries in small quantities, but everything is individual. It is best to avoid eating bananas.
Is it possible to drink alcohol if you have pancreatitis?
The pancreas categorically rejects any alcoholic beverages. Of all the organs in the gastrointestinal tract, this gland is the most susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol. Unlike the liver, it does not have an enzyme capable of breaking down alcohol. It is known that more than 40% of all cases of acute pancreatitis occur after excessive alcohol consumption, fatty snacks or a long merry feast.
In chronic pancreatitis, when drinking alcohol, there is a high risk of repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis, which lead to severe functional and anatomical destruction of the pancreas. And as you know, unlike the liver, this gland is not completely restored. And with each alcohol intake, the formation of fibrosis foci progresses, which essentially means that the pancreas not only becomes inflamed, but rots.
So what shouldn't you eat if you have pancreatitis?
Fat food
The pancreas really does not like fatty, smoked foods, foods with a high protein or fat content.
- Meat.Therefore, fatty meats (pork, duck, goose) should be excluded, especially kebabs made from them, cutlets, sausages, stews and canned food.
- Fish.Fatty fish - sturgeon, salmon, trout, salmon, herring, sprat, mackerel, catfish, as well as caviar and canned fish, salted and smoked fish are also excluded from the diet.
- Broths.According to gastroenterologists, it is difficult to find a product more harmful to the pancreas than the rich bone broth, formaldehyde. And many people try to take strong chicken broth to the hospital to improve their health. This is a big mistake!
Products containing artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
They also don't spare the pancreas. On the shelves of our supermarkets there are practically no products without the chemical additives listed above, therefore, recently, the number of patients with pancreatitis of varying degrees of severity has been steadily increasing. It becomes especially scary for children, because they also consume large quantities of harmful chemicals called "children's yogurt" (filled with preservatives, flavorings and flavor enhancers), children's sausages, "children's sausages" - by definition there can be no children's sausages , Children should not eat these foods ! ! ! And then we wonder why a 10 year old child has pancreatitis?
Dairy
Glazed curds, fatty varieties of cottage cheese, cheeses, especially smoked and salty ones, should not be consumed. Ice cream is also contraindicated, mainly because recently it is not made from natural butter, milk and cream, but from palm oil, cream and milk, which go through several stages of chemical processes, which makes it very difficult for the gland when such products enter the body.
Drinks
As for drinks, the pancreas really doesn't like sodas and lemonades, which cause bloating and are often saturated with all possible dyes, sweeteners, flavors and even preservatives. As for coffee and cocoa, they are also prohibited drinks, especially on an empty stomach. Strong tea and bread kvass are also harmful to the capricious gland. Many manufacturers of soluble chicory claim that this drink is almost a panacea and can be drunk for gastritis, pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Due to its effect on the gastrointestinal tract, soluble chicory is as harmful as coffee, therefore, when following a diet for pancreatitis, it should be excluded or consumed only in very rare cases, not on an empty stomach, listening to your feelings; If you feel the slightest discomfort after consuming it, you should discard it completely.
- Confectionery- sweets, baked goods, chocolate - put a lot of strain on the pancreas.
- Eggs.Boiled or fried eggs are contraindicated.
- Vegetables.Thick, hard and spicy vegetables such as radish, garlic, horseradish, lettuce, sorrel, mushrooms, legumes, peppers, onions (raw) cannot be consumed in any form. The remaining vegetables are very necessary, but only boiled or steamed.
- Fast food.These foods are dangerous even for a completely healthy person, and if we are talking about pancreatitis, then there are practically "poisonous" finished products - this is a direct path to a hospital bed.
- Fruits.There are also restrictions here: they cannot be consumed raw, especially acidic ones (citrus fruits, cranberries) and very sweet ones - grapes, figs, persimmons.
Proper nutrition - what can you eat if you have pancreatitis?
Everyone knows that the pancreas loves during an exacerbation - hunger, cold and peace. And outside of an exacerbation, it is very important how much, how often, when and what a person suffering from pancreatitis eats.
It is very important to follow certain rules and diet, the most important thing is to eat small amounts of food, quite often, preferably every 3 hours, limit food intake at night and, of course, not eat certain types of food.
Compliance with these rules is the key to long-term remission and a full life with pancreatitis. What can you eat with pancreatitis without harming this small organ?
- Vegetables:As we said, cucumbers in puree form, tomatoes, preferably in juice form, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, beets, peas - only roasted or boiled - are useful. It is very convenient and healthy to make vegetable casseroles or vegetarian soups. White cabbage should be limited and consumed only cooked or stewed.
- Fruits:strawberries, sweet apples, pineapples, avocados in the form of compote, jelly, it is especially good to make fruit purees from apricots, and you can eat no more than 1 piece of watermelon or melon.
- Milk:Many people don't know if milk is good for pancreatitis. It is not recommended to consume milk in its pure form, as its decomposition requires enzymes, which are already insufficient for pancreatitis; After the age of 14, no one should drink milk in its pure form, except rarely and separately from other products. In diseases of the pancreas, whole milk can cause diarrhea and flatulence. Among dairy products, kefir, yogurt and other liquid fermented dairy products are considered the most ideal. You can also eat cottage cheese, but with up to 9% fat content. It is very practical and quick to make various casseroles and lazy dumplings with cottage cheese. Sour cream and hard, fatty cheeses are excluded, leaving only cheeses such as Gouda and mozzarella.
- Meat:with meat products everything is clear - no fat, therefore, only lean veal, chicken (without skin), turkey, boiled rabbit meat are left, you can also make soup with meatballs, soufflé and steamed cutlets.
- Eggs:no more than 2 eggs per week and only boiled, it is very difficult for the pancreas to handle the yolk, so it is better to eat only the white.
- Porridge, cereals, pasta:This is the most dietary food. Oatmeal, buckwheat, semolina and rice porridge are healthy. Barley and millet are excluded as they are very difficult to digest cereals. Pasta can also be consumed for pancreatitis, with the addition of a small amount of sunflower or butter.
- Fish:In addition, the fish must be lean, boiled or baked, and you can make steam cutlets. Pike perch, pollock, cod and pike are very useful.
- Bread:Whole grain bread is one of the prohibited foods, so you can eat white bread, preferably dry; cookies can only be cookies, unsweetened and unsweetened.
- Sugar:Few people can eat without sweet foods; in pancreatitis, sugar is a strong irritant, but sometimes you can make your own jelly. But you should give up all store-bought sweets: in addition to sugar, they contain such harmful chemicals that it is very difficult for the pancreas to cope with them. It is possible to occasionally indulge in marmalade, marshmallow or marshmallow.
- Drinks:Only weakly brewed tea, preferably green, compote, jelly, decoctions of medicinal herbs, rose hips. Mineral water is very useful for this disease.
Question answer:
Is it possible to drink goat's milk?
Goat's milk is a rather difficult product for the pancreas. Its fat content exceeds that of cows by two and a half times. People who traditionally use this product as their main product have enzyme systems that are more adapted to its use. But if you're not used to it, goat's milk can cause digestive problems. Therefore, when introducing this type of milk and products derived from it, you need to be careful, start with small portions and gradually increase them with normal tolerance. The absence of nausea, loose or pasty stools will indicate that the product is being digested normally.
Is it possible to eat matsoni?
Matsoni, like other fermented milk products, is not contraindicated for chronic pancreatitis. The whole question will be in the fat content of the milk from which it (it) is prepared. Very rich milk is obviously undesirable.
Is it possible to make yeast baked goods, puff pastry and gingerbread?
During periods of exacerbation of pancreatitis, baking with yeast is not indicated. During remission, yeast baked goods should be dosed wisely. Puff pastry is not contraindicated. In gingerbread cookies, the first place will be the degree of sweetener (in case of insulin problems and pancreatitis) and the icing with which they are covered. Cheap confectionery products often use glaze based on refractory fats (coconut and palm oils), which do not improve the health of the pancreas.
Can I eat cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a spice sold only in specialized stores or brought by distributors. What we buy in bags in supermarkets is a cheaper option called cassia. This pseudocinnamon has been linked to stories that it helps with type 2 diabetes. In fact, this is not the work of the pancreas, but the response of insulin receptors in the tissues. There is no decent evidence of this anywhere. In general, cinnamon increases the production of gastric juice, being a stimulant, which is why it is not recommended for exacerbations of pancreatitis.
Is it possible to eat liver - stomach, heart, liver?
Products related to the liver (heart, stomach), as well as the liver, are not contraindicated in pancreatitis if they are boiled or stewed. It's best not to eat these fried foods.
Is it possible to eat processed cheese, coffee, chocolate, bread?
It is advisable to choose processed cheeses without spicy seasonings and with a large amount of emulsifiers and preservatives. You should not overuse chocolate. You can eat bread. Coffee is not advisable regularly and during exacerbations. The solution is to add milk and drink it infrequently from small glasses.
Can I eat brown and white rice and olive oil?
You can eat rice. Add olive oil to salads and other dishes as usual. No fanaticism.
Is it possible to pickle cabbage?
Cabbage brine is contraindicated as a hangover remedy because alcohol destroys the pancreas. In general, outside of exacerbation of pancreatitis, in the absence of inflammation in the stomach or duodenum, a few spoons of brine cannot harm, but it is not recommended to drink it in glasses.
Salted lard?
Fat puts more pressure on the liver and bile ducts. In this case, the pancreas may suffer secondarily. Against the background of pancreatitis remission, you can eat lard, but in reasonable portions, a few pieces a day, a couple of times a week.