The Best (and Worst) Foods for Pancreatitis Pain

What you eat can have a huge effect on how you feel, especially if you have pancreatitis — a condition that occurs when the organ that produces your digestive enzymes becomes inflamed.

Paying close attention to your diet can help ease abdominal pain that accompanies this condition, says hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon Mayank Roy, MD.

Following a pancreatitis diet and choosing your food well — think whole grains, fruits and vegetables — can give your pancreas a break and help it recover.

Foods good for pancreatitis

A diet for pancreatitis should aim to be high in protein and low in animal fats and simple sugars, Dr. Roy suggests.

You should eat plenty of:

• Lean protein (like chicken and fish)
• Vegetables (like sweet potatoes and carrots)
• Dark, leafy greens (like kale and spinach)
• Fruits (like red berries, blueberries and pomegranates)
• Whole grains (like oatmeal and quinoa)
• Beans and lentils (like black beans, chickpeas and green lentils)
• Low-fat or nonfat dairy (like almond or flax milk)

Focusing on vegetables, fruits and whole grains limits your cholesterol intake and increases your fiber intake. This lowers your risk of developing gallstones or high triglycerides, which are among the top causes of acute pancreatitis. Plus, the antioxidants in these nutritious whole foods help combat the free radicals in your body, which helps reduce inflammation.

You can also eat avocado, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds — but do so in moderation.

Adding medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — fats that often come from coconut or palm kernel oil — can also help boost nutrient absorption if you have chronic pancreatitis, Dr. Roy says.

“The Mediterranean diet is a good option for you if you’re recovering from mild acute pancreatitis,” advises Dr. Roy.

Foods to avoid with pancreatitis

Your pancreas processes most of the fat you eat. So, the more you eat, the harder your pancreas works. Whenever possible, stay away from fried or full-fat foods, as well as foods that are high in sugar.

Try to limit or avoid:

• Red meat
• Organ meat
• French fries and potato chips
• Sauces and condiments like mayonnaise
• Margarine and butter
• Full-fat dairy
• Pastries and baked goods
• Sugary drinks

High-fat foods and simple sugars also increase your triglyceride levels. This boosts the amount of fat in your blood and increases your risk of acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis diet tips

If you’ve had an acute pancreatitis episode, you can help speed your recovery with some changes to your eating habits and lifestyle. Try these tips:

• Go small. Small and frequent meals may be easier on your pancreas.
• Focus on MCTs. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of MCTs to your daily diet. You can continue this if you have moderately severe or severe chronic pancreatitis.
• Take a multivitamin. Doing so can help replenish vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, zinc and folic acid.
• Limit total fat intake. Aim to consume less than 30 grams per day. Read nutrition labels to help cut down or eliminate saturated fats.
• Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the swelling of your pancreas.
• Don’t smoke (or do your best to quit). This habit can increase the progression of pancreatitis. If you smoke, your healthcare provider may have resources to help.
• Stay hydrated. This will help your digestive system, including your pancreas, function better.
• Work with a registered dietitian. With pancreatitis, there’s the risk that you could become malnourished or start losing weight without trying to. Consider working with a dietitian who can help formulate a personalized plan for you.

If your abdominal pain continues, your healthcare provider may also refer you to a pain management specialist.

Key takeaways

Ultimately, your eating habits are often an effective way to protect your pancreas. But changes in diet don’t affect all people the same way. The impact depends on whether you have an acute or chronic case of pancreatitis.

“People with mild pancreatitis can benefit from diet and lifestyle changes alone,” Dr. Roy explains. “However, diet isn’t always enough, by itself, to manage symptoms in moderate to severe cases if the appropriate cause of pancreatitis hasn’t been appropriately managed.”