Low fat diet for quicker recovery of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is when your pancreas becomes irritated and swollen (inflamed). The pancreas is a small organ located behind your stomach. It helps your body digest food and regulate your blood sugar.

Pancreatitis can affect how your body digests food, especially foods with fat. You may also have other symptoms such as abdominal pain or nausea.

When you have pancreatitis, following a low-fat eating plan may help you manage symptoms and recover more quickly. Work with your health care provider or a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) to create an eating plan that is right for you.

What are tips for following this plan?

Reading food labels

Use the information on food labels to help keep track of how much fat you eat:

• Check the serving size.
• Look for the amount of total fat in grams (g) in one serving.
  • Low-fat foods have 3 g of fat or less per serving.
  • Fat-free foods have 0.5 g of fat or less per serving.
• Keep track of how much fat you eat based on how many servings you eat.
  • For example, if you eat two servings, the amount of fat you eat will be two times what is listed on the label.

Shopping

• Buy low-fat or nonfat foods, such as:
  • Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.
  • Grains, including pasta, bread, and rice.
  • Lean meat, poultry, fish, and other protein foods.
  • Low-fat or nonfat dairy.
• Avoid buying bakery products and other sweets made with whole milk, butter, and eggs.
• Avoid buying snack foods with added fat, such as anything with butter or cheese flavoring.

Cooking

• Remove skin from poultry, and remove extra fat from meat.
• Limit the amount of fat and oil you use to 6 teaspoons or less per day.
• Cook using low-fat methods, such as boiling, broiling, grilling, steaming, or baking.
• Use spray oil to cook. Add fat-free chicken broth to add flavor and moisture.
• Avoid adding cream to thicken soups or sauces. Use other thickeners such as corn starch or tomato paste.

Meal planning

• Eat a low-fat diet as told by your dietitian. For most people, this means having no more than 55–65 grams of fat each day.
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. For example, you may have 5–6 small meals instead of 3 large meals.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Do not drink alcohol. Talk to your health care provider if you need help stopping.
• Limit how much caffeine you have, including black coffee, black and green tea, caffeinated soft drinks, and energy drinks.

General information

• Let your health care provider or dietitian know if you have unplanned weight loss on this eating plan.
• You may be instructed to follow a clear liquid diet during a flare of symptoms. Talk with your health care provider about how to manage your diet during symptoms of a flare.
• Take any vitamins or supplements as told by your health care provider.
• Work with a dietitian, especially if you have other conditions such as obesity or diabetes mellitus.

What foods should I avoid?

Fruits

Fried fruits. Fruits served with butter or cream.

Vegetables

Fried vegetables. Vegetables cooked with butter, cheese, or cream.

Grains

Biscuits, waffles, donuts, pastries, and croissants. Pies and cookies. Butter-flavored popcorn. Regular crackers.

Meats and other protein foods

Fatty cuts of meat. Poultry with skin. Organ meats. Bacon, sausage, and cold cuts. Whole eggs. Nuts and nut butters.

Dairy

Whole and 2% milk. Whole milk yogurt. Whole milk ice cream. Cream and half-and-half. Cream cheese. Sour cream. Cheese.

Beverages

Wine, beer, and liquor.

Summary

• Pancreatitis can affect how your body digests food, especially foods with fat.
• When you have pancreatitis, it is recommended that you follow a low-fat eating plan to help you recover more quickly and manage symptoms. For most people, this means limiting fat to no more than 55–65 grams per day.
• Do not drink alcohol. Limit the amount of caffeine you have, and drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.

The items listed above may not be a complete list of foods and beverages to avoid. Contact a dietitian for more information.