Diet Recommendation For Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis and Diet

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According to the experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center, a proper pancreatitis diet should seek to

1) Increase consumption of antioxidants while simultaneously decreasing or wholly eliminating consumption of foods that are likely to exacerbate the condition.

2) Additionally, they recommend a regime consisting of daily nutritional supplements to balance out the body's defenses, providing an optimal environment for the promotion of healing.

Diet Recommendations

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1) You should strive to identify and eliminate any and all suspected food allergies, such as lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity.

2) Strive to consume the bulk of your diet from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as the antioxidants and nutrients in these foods can help to guard against cell damage caused by pancreatitis

Blueberries (and other berries) i.e (Naval pazham) and spinach(Cheera)  are particularly recommended for pancreatitis sufferers, as they contain remarkably high levels of antioxidants

3) Limit your consumption of processed and fried foods, along with foods containing excess sugars

4) Remove all trans fats from your diet and be sure to consume at least six eight-ounce glasses of water per day.

Supplements

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1) The doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center recommend using a fish oil supplement to help combat inflammation, so take at least two to three grams daily.

2) Other possible supplements to take include alpha-lipolic acid (50mg taken twice daily) for the antioxidants and resveratrol (200mg daily).

Foods Recommended for Chronic Pancreatitis

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1) A diet rich in antioxidants

Recommended antioxidant-rich foods include blueberries(Naval pazham), cherries, spinach (Cheera), kale, tomatoes, pomegranates (Mathalam), squash and bell peppers.

2) Low fat, high protein foods

Beans are another good source of protein that contain low levels of fat. When cooking, use healthy, low fat cooking oils like olive and vegetable oil.

3) Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are known to decrease inflammation and boost the immune system. Fish such as salmon (Kora) or mackerel (Aiyla) are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids. There are a number of good plant sources of omega 3 fatty acids, including soy beans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds (matthanga) , soy bean oil, canola oil and flax seeds

4) Other Recommended Foods

One of the most commonly recommended foods for pancreatitis sufferers is red reishi mushrooms

Yogurt is also recommended because it contains probiotics, living bacteria cultures that bolster the immune system and help with digestion. Caffeine-free green tea is a great alternative to coffee and also contains antioxidants.

Yogurt

Probiotics are crucial in a pancreatitis diet. These live bacteria in yogurt help keep the balance of your digestive system, as well as help to maintain your body’s immunity level, which prevents inflammation.

-Vegetable soup

This is another wonderful option, but it should not contain any meat. A tomato-based broth is highly recommended, as it is rich in antioxidants, which is what helps ensure a healthy pancreas. The extra fluid in soup is also highly beneficial.

-Spinach (Cheera)

Spinach is an excellent choice as well, and there are various ways in which it can be consumed, such as a salad base or a side dish.

-Blueberries (Naval pazham)

Antioxidants contained in blueberries will help you fight back against free radicals, which is what makes your condition worse.

-Tofu

A major pancreatitis cause is that the bloodstream contains high levels of fat. Therefore, meat should be eliminated from the diet in order to avoid future attacks. Tofu is a good substitute for the necessary protein.

-Red Reishi Mushrooms

These will help restore your system’s balance, which is very important in order to avoid inflammation.

Other beneficial foods include cereal, oatmeal, spaghetti, bread, oats, rice, fruits, vegetables, and soy products. In addition, there are a few basic guidelines to follow if you are on a Pancreatitis Diet.

Foods To Avoid

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In general, people who suffer from chronic panreatitis should avoid foods with high fat content and also harmful chemical stimulants. Cookies, French fries, doughnuts, cakes, onion rings, crackers, chips, margarine and other processed foods contain high levels of trans-fatty acids and should be strictly avoided. Red meat contains lots of fat as well. Sufferers of pancreatitis should stay away from stimulants like coffee, cigarettes and alcohol as these increase abdominal pain and aggravate the pancreas.

Products to be avoided in the Pancreatitis diet include caffeine, tobacco, spicy foods, eggs, butter, cheese, fried foods, bacon, pizza, beer, beans, and other general gas-forming foods, which could cause inflammation of the pancreas

Deficiencies for a Pancreatitis Patient

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Pancreatitis may develop deficiencies in Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Pancreatitis patients are also recommended to include Vitamin B12 in their diet.