The famous ancient Greek healer Hippocrates said: "We are what we eat! "He is right in many ways, by that he means the culture of food consumption, its usefulness or harm in relation to the human body. Thus, some products are vital for the normal functioning of all organs and systems, while others, on the contrary, reduce the quality of life and lead to seriousdiseases, for example, pancreatitis. In this case, a proper balanced diet is the medicine that prevents possible relapses.
Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the pancreas. This organ plays an important role in the functioning of the digestive tract. Its main functions are the production of insulin, as well as the digestive enzymes needed for the breakdown and digestion of nutrients:
trypsins, for digesting proteins;
lipase, for fat processing;
lactase, maltase, amylase, invertase, which ensure the transformation of complex carbohydrates into monosaccharides.
Normally, pancreatic juice, saturated with enzymes, enters the duodenum through channels, where the main stage of food digestion takes place. Pathology occurs when the secretion of enzymatic fluid is too active, its quantity becomes so great that it cannot migrate physiologically "quickly" from the gland. Stagnation occurs during which digestive enzymes interact with pancreatic cells, which leads to their death, stimulating inflammation.
In most cases, pancreatitis is a consequence of excessive and regular consumption of alcohol, fatty and heavy food. Such a diet leads to the fact that the pancreas constantly works in an enhanced mode, producing an excess of enzymes, which has a toxic effect not only on the organ itself, but also on other life support systems, entering the systemic bloodstream.
The same reactions are possible when taking certain medications.
Another common cause of the disease is partial or complete obstruction of the pancreatic duct. This can be due to the formation of stones (in case of cholelithiasis), the formation of cysts, tumors, injuries, and in rare cases - with a structural anomaly. Cases of disease development as a result of parasitism by pathogenic microorganisms and other gastrointestinal pathologies (cholecystitis, cholangitis, etc. ) are diagnosed less often.
General rules
There are two main forms of pathology: acute and chronic. In the first case, the symptoms are the most pronounced: severe pain in the left side that spreads to the forearm, frequent vomiting and hyperemia. An attack usually occurs after consuming fried or spicy food or alcoholic beverages. In this case, urgent hospitalization and emergency treatment are required to stabilize the condition as soon as possible and avoid dangerous complications such as pancreatic necrosis and multi-organ failure.
In the first 2-3 days after the attack, it is forbidden to eat any food in order to stop the formation of enzyme secretion. During this period, the body is fed through drips.
Drinks are allowed as desired, but in small portions. Consumption of mineral or boiled water, weakly brewed tea and rosehip decoction is allowed. After the pain disappears, the patient gradually switches to a normal diet. It is important not to overload the gland and give it time to recover, so the diet should be as light as possible. Food should be eaten in portions no larger than 150 g up to 6 times a day.
All dishes are prepared in liquid or semi-liquid form (stews, purees, porridges) by boiling or steaming and before serving cooled to a warm temperature. Gradually, the diet is expanded, adding more caloric and non-digested food. Further nutrition for pancreatitis remains partial and sparing.
In chronic disease, the clinical picture is not so bright. The pathology, in this case, has already affected most of the glandular tissue, which leads to serious disturbances in the functioning of the organ, primarily in the full production of enzymes. Permanent digestive disorders are observed: diarrhea, bloating, changes in the nature of feces, but pain does not occur. However, during an exacerbation, the symptoms become more intense and are accompanied by severe pain.
Diet adjustment is based on the same principles as for acute pancreatitis. After a three-day fast, the patient switches to fractional low-calorie meals (proteins - 60 g, fats - 50 g per day). This regime is indicated for a period of 5 to 7 days. Furthermore, the nature of food changes depending on the patient's condition. Preference is given to proteins, the amount of fat remains low. Liquid food is supplemented with viscous, finely chopped; Cooking by stewing or baking is allowed.
Daily salt intake should not exceed 6 g (for any form of pathology).
Why follow a diet for pancreatitis?
An acute attack of the disease is a serious damage to the health of the gland. Only in isolated cases does the organ recover completely without any consequences. As a rule, such disorders do not go away without a trace, especially if the person abuses strong drinks again or eats improperly. The transition to the chronic form is a dangerous condition, it will no longer be possible to fully recover. In this case, the affected gland is unable to produce the required amount of enzymes, and regular (often lifelong) use of medical analogues is required.
Dietary nutrition for pancreatitis is mandatory. The main goal is to relieve the diseased organ, reduce hypersecretion and prevent re-exacerbation. Hard-to-digest, long-digesting foods that require increased production of pancreatic juice are excluded from the menu. The diet is selected to ensure normal functioning of the pancreas and maximum restoration of damaged tissue.
Diet plays an important role in the prevention of diabetes. There are special areas in the gland, called islets of Langerhans, where a specific hormone, insulin, is produced. If inflammation affects these formations, then the production of hormones decreases, which can ultimately lead to the development of endocrine diseases. In this case, poor nutrition is considered a predisposing factor.
Allowed products for pancreatitis
After the symptoms subside, the patient is shown diet table no. 5 p. There are two options - basic and advanced. The first is prescribed for the chronic course of the pathology in the active phase and in case of an acute attack. It is quite limited and consists mainly of easily digestible carbohydrates.
An improved diet for pancreatitis is to adjust the carbohydrate diet by adding protein products. Their daily content in food does not exceed 125 g. At the same time, the amount of fat consumed should not exceed 70 g. In addition, the amount of other nutrients needed for health is taken into account:
vitamin A – 10 mg;
B vitamins – from 2 to 10 mg;
vitamin C – up to 150 g;
calcium – 0. 8 g;
sodium – 3 g;
phosphorus – 1. 3 g;
magnesium – 0. 5 g;
iron – 0. 03 g.
All this suggests that the daily menu should not only be healthy, but also diverse due to the use of various permitted products.
Vegetables: potatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, seaweed, green peas, pumpkin, zucchini, celery, carrots. There is a lot of controversy among nutritionists about the consumption of beets. It is a well-known fact that cooked root vegetables are healthy, but the high content of betaine and sugar in them calls into question the safety of its use as food for inflammation of the pancreas.
Vegetables are eaten pureed, in the form of puree, as part of the first courses. Gradual transition to coarser grinding is allowed.
Fruits, berries: apples, pears, pomegranates, peaches, strawberries, raspberries. The products are baked (apples), steamed or used to prepare various sweets (without sugar): preserves, jams, foams, marshmallows, marmalade, jellies.
meat (fatty): turkey, chicken, rabbit, veal (stuffing or pastry). The products can be eaten after the patient's condition is stabilized. They are used to cook stews, pureed soups, prepare steamed cutlets, quenelles, meatballs and soufflés.
A fish: perch, pike, carp, perch, hake, pollock, cod, gray whiting. It is served in cooked pieces or processed into steamed minced meat.
Dairy products (low fat): milk, kefir, yogurt, fresh cheese, cream, yogurt. Sour milk drinks are drunk little by little during the day, porridge is cooked with milk, and curd is used for casseroles and puddings.
Separately, it is worth mentioning cheese. Only brined soft cheeses are allowed for consumption: feta cheese, suluguni, etc. Products are added to food crushed during cooking.
Cereals: semolina, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Cereals ground into flour are most suitable.
So what: any. Prepare according to the instructions, priority is given to small things.
Eggs: chicken, quail. They are eaten boiled (mashed), soft-boiled (rare) or as an omelette.
Bread: wheat (yesterday's), with bran, crackers, biscuits.
Oil: creamy (up to 30 g per day), vegetables (linseed, olive, refined sunflower) are gradually introduced into the menu.
Drinks: weak tea, compotes, diluted juices from non-acidic berries, fruits, non-carbonated mineral water.
All food is prepared immediately before the meal. "Frying" vegetables in the soup is prohibited.
Fully or partially restricted products
Unfortunately, a dangerous disease dictates its own strict rules by which the patient will have to continue to live. First of all, this refers to daily nutrition. In order to avoid possible relapses and worsening of the condition in the future, you will have to permanently stop eating certain foods. Of course, it is difficult to accept, but the price of poor nutrition during pancreatitis is often the patient's life.
Dieting should not be treated as an ordeal. The number of things you can eat is not so small, and in all parts of the food chart. In addition, if the patient feels well, the diet for pancreatitis can be expanded by introducing foods that are not included in the main diet (some seasonal vegetables, fruits, etc. ). Their consumption must be strictly limited, carefully monitoring the body's reaction. If any, even mild symptoms indicating a possible attack appear, the new food introduced into the diet is immediately excluded.
The patient's diet does not contain foods rich in fat. First of all, it refers to meat (pork, lamb, duck, goose, offal). All meat and sausage semi-products are also prohibited. The latter represent a special potential danger, as they include a large number of chemical additives that irritate the entire digestive system. Exceptions are sausages or ham made from dietary poultry meat, which are sometimes consumed in small quantities.
Varieties of fatty sea and river fish (salmon, beluga, sturgeon, sterlet, etc. ), as well as caviar, rolls and sushi are excluded. The consumption of fish dishes with moderate fat content and seafood is allowed (no more than 2 times a week).
The diet menu does not contain vegetables with coarse fibers, high acidity: white cabbage, radish, rutabaga, radish, turnip, spinach, sorrel, corn, asparagus, eggplant. You should not serve sour, sour, salted vegetables, ginger, olives, as well as dishes prepared from garlic and onions. The products must be thermally processed before eating, they must not be eaten raw. Sweet tomatoes can be used with caution in the diet if there are no signs of pancreatitis.
Fruits and berries contain a large amount of acids that cause increased secretion of pancreatic fluid. Therefore, their use is undesirable, especially during the rehabilitation period after an attack. Citrus fruits, persimmons, melons, fresh berries and their juices are prohibited. Dried fruit is allowed to a limited extent.
The consumption of mushrooms and legumes is excluded. These products are a source of large amounts of vegetable proteins, which help activate the pancreas. In addition, unwanted disorders from other organs of the gastrointestinal tract are possible: increased gas production, constipation, which is especially problematic for people with pancreatitis.
Hard-to-digest cereal foods are prohibited: millet, barley, peas and pearl barley. The consistency of ready-made cereals should be semi-liquid and viscous, it is not recommended to eat them in crumbly form.
Fatty milk, as well as its derivatives (fresh cheese, kefir, sour cream) are extremely undesirable. Hard, salty, sharp cheeses and cheese products are prohibited.
When preparing food, you must not use any spices or serve factory sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, etc. Cooking by frying is strictly prohibited. Fried food (including sautéed vegetables for soups) is saturated with many carcinogens and other harmful substances that have a depressing effect on the work of the entire digestive tract. Regular consumption of such food can trigger a new attack. The same goes for any smoked meat or canned fish. The fish should not be released into a small amount of water, because. . . this releases extractive substances that require increased production of pancreatic juice.
It is forbidden to eat fresh bread, bakery and sweet products. Such food is a source of a large number of carbohydrates, which promote the activity of the diseased organ and the increased release of insulin. In combination with cooking fats (margarine, etc. ), this is a serious load that is unacceptable for pancreatitis. Therefore, you should not eat cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolate or honey either.
Any alcohol is strictly prohibited, as well as strong coffee, carbonated drinks, cocoa and green tea.
Sample menu for a week for pancreatitis
Nutrition for pancreatitis in the acute phase is quite poor, but necessary to relieve inflammation. A 6-time meal plan is prescribed:
Breakfast. Soft porridges with water are preferred, and in the absence of symptoms, with diluted milk. You can complete your meal with a piece of toasted bread spread with butter.
Lunch. As a rule, it includes unleavened cottage cheese or cheesecakes, jelly and fruit puree.
Dinner. Light soups and vegetable soups are served as the first course. For the second course - meat or fish souffle, steamed cutlets with pureed grains and vegetables.
Afternoon snack. Its composition is similar to the second bite.
Dinner. This meal is preferably light, but with sufficient protein content. Boiled fish, meat pate with a side dish are suitable.
For the night. Instead of food - a glass of low-fat kefir or yogurt.
Depending on the patient's condition, the daily menu is supplemented with other dishes from the list of permitted products.
Monday
Rice porridge puree, rose hip infusion.
Baked apple with dried apricots.
Chicken consommé with croutons, fish souffle.
Sour, biscuits.
Turkey meatballs, pumpkin and carrot puree.
Kefir.
Tuesday
Buckwheat porridge, tea with milk.
Low-fat cottage cheese (100 g), apple mousse.
Pureed vegetable soup, steamed veal meatballs.
Compote, a piece of soft, lightly salted cheese.
Boiled perch with potatoes.
Ryazhenka.
Wednesday
Oatmeal on water with dried fruit.
Yogurt.
Rice soup with carrots, bread with cheese.
Fruit jam.
Cottage cheese casserole with pears, wheat bread.
Yogurt.
Thursday
Steam omelette (white), sandwich with butter, tea.
Curd pudding.
Fish stew, rabbit souffle with carrots.
Kefir, fruit jelly.
Steamed chicken cutlet with cauliflower puree.
Curdled milk.
Friday
Steamed cheesecakes, rosehip drink.
Baked apple.
Creamy pumpkin soup, turkey with vegetables.
Yogurt.
Boiled veal, carrot pudding.
Unsweetened tea.
Saturday
Boiled egg whites, kefir.
Fruit puree, biscuits.
Homemade noodles with vegetable soup, turkey cutlet.
Fresh cheese.
Pasta with green peas, compote.
Varenets.
Sunday
Sesame porridge with butter.
Apple mousse.
Chicken soup with potato dumplings, fish dumplings.
Vegetable puree.
Steamed turkey with a side dish of zucchini and carrots.
Milk (low fat).
Diet recipes
Rice porridge with pumpkin
you will need:
Broken round grain rice - half a glass;
pumpkin - 300 g;
milk half and half with water - only 1 glass;
sugar - 1 teaspoon;
salt.
Cut the pumpkin, previously peeled and cleaned of seeds, into pieces, boil in a small amount of water until soft, rub through a sieve. Another option is also possible: grate the vegetables and add them to the pan together with the rice.
Add the cereal to the boiling diluted milk and cook for 15 minutes. Then add pumpkin puree, sugar and a little salt. Stir and leave on the fire for another 2-3 minutes. Porridge is better to eat when it has been standing for 20-30 minutes.
Meatball and cauliflower soup
Ingredients:
turkey or chicken fillet - 300 g;
fresh egg white - 2 pcs. ;
potatoes - 3 pcs. ;
carrot - 1 piece;
cauliflower - 300 g;
water – 2-2. 5 l;
salt.
Make mincemeat. Mix well with egg whites and form meatballs the size of walnuts. Put the cabbage, previously separated into small florets, and the grated carrot into the boiling water. After 5 minutes, add potatoes cut into small cubes. When the vegetables are cooked, add the meatballs to the soup, add salt and mix. Let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes.
If the disease worsens, you can prepare a gentler cream soup. In this case, the meatballs are not shaped. Minced meat (without protein) is added to the boiled vegetables, mixed, cooked for 5-7 minutes, after which the contents of the pan are mixed with a mixer. Pour the egg whites in a thin stream, mixing them into the soup.
Chicken souffle
Products:
chicken breast without skin - 500 g;
milk - 1 glass;
egg whites – 2 pcs. ;
vegetable oil (for greasing the mold);
salt.
Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Pass the breast twice through a meat grinder, mix with egg white and milk, add salt. Beat the minced meat with a blender until it becomes smooth. Coat a heat-resistant dish with oil and fill it with the meat mixture. Bake for 30 minutes without opening the oven.
Steamed fish cutlets
you will need:
white fish fillet (cod, pollack, perch) – 500 g;
2 egg whites;
salt.
Grind the fish into minced meat, add salt, mix with egg whites and mix well until smooth. Form the cutlets. Place them on a wire rack placed in a deep pot of boiling water and steam until cooked (25-30 minutes). You can use a slow cooker for that.
Broccoli Omelet
Ingredients:
raw egg whites – 4 pcs (or 2 eggs);
broccoli - 200 g;
milk - 0. 5 cups;
water;
salt;
lubricating oil.
Wash the cabbage, cut it into pieces, cook covered for 10 minutes. Beat the whites (eggs) with milk and salt until they become foamy. Put the boiled vegetables in a refractory pan greased with oil, pour the egg and milk mixture and put it in the oven heated to 180 °C. Bake for 10 minutes. In acute cases of the disease, cabbage blossoms are crushed into pulp.
For children
The disease is rarely diagnosed in childhood. However, an acute attack is possible if the child suffers from substance addiction, if he has previously suffered severe viral infections, abdominal trauma, or is undergoing long-term drug therapy (hormones, tetracyclines). The disease is often manifested in combination with other gastrointestinal pathologies, for example, gastritis. Dietary therapy, in this case, should take into account the nature of the underlying disease.
Nutrition for pancreatitis in children is the same as in adults, and is carried out according to a similar scheme: the first week - a strict, gentlest menu, then the weekly table is gradually diversified, subject to good digestibility and the absence of disturbing symptoms.
It is important to remember that a growing child's body needs the right amount of nutrients, including fats. Therefore, in order not to overload the gland, the child receives the necessary dose of enzymes artificially, i. e. with the help of medication.
The daily menu must necessarily consist of vegetables, fruits (in the phase of remission they can be eaten fresh, but with caution), fermented milk products, liquids, viscous porridges, soups, as well as cooked lean meat and fish. A strict diet should be followed for one month after an attack, a prolonged diet for at least 5 years, and a lifelong diet should be followed in the case of a chronic form of the disease.
For pregnant women
Pancreatitis in women during pregnancy can worsen during the intake of certain vitamin complexes or as a result of internal pressure exerted on the gland by an enlarged uterus. Nutrition for pancreatitis in this case should be dietary, but taking into account all the nutritional needs necessary for the full development of the fetus.
Advantages and disadvantages
Adherence to the diet is the key to the health of not only the pancreas, but also the entire digestive system. Such a diet is balanced, healthy, easier and more fully digestible. In addition, despite the restrictions, the diet is quite varied and allows you to combine different foods in meals, thus ensuring a wide, nutritious table. However, it takes time to get used to this diet. For many patients, this is not so much a consumer barrier as a psychological one, because many well-known "tasty" products will have to be abandoned. But this is necessary in order to maintain the opportunity for a normal life.
Nutritionist comments
Treatment of pancreatitis with the help of diet aims, first of all, to relieve the affected gland as much as possible. It is important to stop the excessive production of the enzyme secretion. However, according to nutritionists, from time to time it is necessary to provide the digestive organs with complete rest. In that period, the affected organ is most prone to regeneration, because it is functionally "sleeping".
For this purpose, therapeutic fasting (complete refusal of food) is carried out. Most often, this regime is followed for 24 hours, but it can be increased if the patient feels well and under the supervision of a doctor. Long-term abstinence from food (more than 7 days) requires hospitalization.
Fasting days are a milder option. Nutritionists recommend having them at least once a week. Choose one from the line of allowed dishes, for example, porridge or vegetable puree. It is prepared in such quantities that it can be divided into several meals. Other products are not consumed.
Reviews and results
Only with strict adherence to the rules of the treatment table can a stable positive dynamics of remission be observed.
Any, even minor violation of the diet can undo all the previous efforts, causing a new round of diseases. How it might turn out for the patient, no doctor will say in advance, but, in any case, the consequences will be most disappointing. Reviews of patients with pancreatitis only confirm this. That's why it's so important to eat right. The main thing is to tolerate it more easily, study your body and understand what is tolerated well and what is not. An excellent motivation in this matter is the strong support of loved ones.
Price
The cost of a weekly basket of diet food is on average from 20 to 40 dollars.