The Best Diet for Pancreatitis

What are the Main Causes of Pancreatitis?

    • Alcohol: Alcohol triggers the release of pancreatic enzymes sooner than normal and can cause small stones to form within the ducts, blocking the passage of enzymes out of the pancrease into the small intestine. This can affect the breakdown of protein, fat and carbohydrates leading to diarrhea.
    • Increased triglycerides
    • Hypercalcemia
    • Corticosteroids and NAID’s
    • Blood pressure drugs
    • Antibiotics including tetracylcine and sulfonamides
    • Immune suppressing drugs
    • Viral infections including mumps, hepatitis, mono and bacterial infections
    • Pancreatic cancer
    • Hereditary 

*Talk to your doctor about taking  pancreatic enzymes if diarrhea is chronic and a bacterial infection is a concern. Vicadon and antibiotics should not be used long term.

Lipase: works with bile from the liver to break down fat. A deficiency will cause diarrhea or fatty stools
Protease: breaks down protein and keeps the intestine free of bacteria, yeast and parasites.
Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates. A deficiency can lead to diarrhea.

The Best Diet for Pancreatitis

Malabsorption of nutrients can occur from poor digestion of food (due to reduced pancreatic enzyme activity), which will result in nutrients passing into the stools. This is seen especially with fat and fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E) as digestion of fat is highly dependent on pancreatic enzymes. 

In some cases, diabetes can develop if the pancreas is not able to make enough insulin to help control blood sugars, so blood sugars stay high.

The best diet for pancreatitis requires protein, fat and carbohydrates in moderate amounts to prevent diarrhea. You want to eat foods in fermented or sprouted forms when possible so that enzymes are present in the food, are pre-digested and easy on your pancreas. Keep water on hand and drink throughout the day.

Protein 
Eggs
Chicken breasts
Turkey
Tempeh
Wild salmon
Goat yogurt
Goat Kefir
Hummus

Fruit: Limit to 1-2 servings daily
Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, pears, grapefruit, apricots, grapes, papaya

Vegetables: Studies have found the best diet for pancreatitis includes a vegetable rich diet that keeps pancreatitis away. Aim for 3 servings per day.
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli sprouts
Bean sprouts
Kale
Salad
Cucumbers
Carrots
Zucchini
Green beans

Beans, legumes, nuts and seeds
Soaked and sprouted only. All of these contain enzyme inhibitors and can cause the pancreas to swell and inflame. Best to avoid unless they are prepared correctly.

Grains
Real sourdough or sprouted bread only.

Fat
MCT Oil: MCT Oil from coconut oil does not require pancreatic enzymes for digestion. This should be your go to fat for adding to meals and shakes. Avocado and olive oil can also be used in small amounts.

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