Locations:
Search IconSearch

The Best (and Worst) Foods for Pancreatitis Pain

The right diet to ease abdominal discomfort

woman with pacreatic 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.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Paying close attention to your diet can help ease abdominal pain that accompanies this condition, says pancreas specialist Prabhleen Chahal, MD. If you choose your food well, you can give your pancreas a break and help it recover.

So, it’s vital to know which foods you can eat, which ones you should avoid, and how those choices can affect your body.

The pancreatitis-food link

With a chronically inflamed pancreas, your body can’t produce enough of the digestive enzymes that help absorb nutrients from the foods you eat.

Over time, you could become malnourished or start losing weight without trying to, Dr. Chahal says. A different diet can make it easier for your pancreas to do its job.

Changes in diet don’t affect all patients the same way, however. The impact depends on whether you have an acute or chronic case of pancreatitis, she says.

“Patients with mild pancreatitis can benefit from diet and lifestyle changes alone,” she says. “However, diet is not always enough, by itself, to control symptoms in moderate to severe cases.”

Best foods for pancreatitis

A pancreas-friendly diet is high in protein from lean meats and low in animal fats and simple sugars, Dr. Chahal says.

You should eat plenty of:

  • Vegetables.
  • Fruits.
  • Whole grains.
  • Beans, lentils.
  • Low-fat or nonfat dairy (almond or flax milk).

Advertisement

Antioxidant-rich foods such as dark, leafy vegetables, red berries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, grapes, carrots, walnuts and pomegranates are also beneficial. But, eat avocado, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds in moderation.

The Mediterranean diet is a good option for you if you are recovering from mild acute pancreatitis. You can find healthy recipes in the National Pancreas Foundation cookbook, Dr. Chahal says.

Why are these foods helpful?

Focusing on vegetables, fruits and whole grains limits your cholesterol intake and increases your fiber intake. This reduces your risk of developing gallstones or high triglycerides, which are among the leading causes of acute pancreatitis. Antioxidants combat the free radicals in your body, helping reduce inflammation.

Adding medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — fats that are often derived from coconut or palm kernel oil — can also help boost your nutrient absorption in the setting of chronic pancreatitis, Dr. Chahal says.

Worst foods for pancreatitis

Whenever possible, stay away from fried or full-fat foods, as well as foods that are high in sugar.

Be sure to limit:

  • Red meat.
  • Organ meat.
  • French fries, potato chips.
  • Mayonnaise.
  • Margarine, butter.
  • Full-fat dairy.
  • Pastries.
  • Sugary drinks.

Why are these foods harmful?

Your pancreas processes most of the fat you eat. So, the more you eat, the harder your pancreas works.

High-fat foods and simple sugars also increase your triglyceride levels. This boosts the amount of fat in your blood and increases your risk for acute pancreatitis. Research also shows that processed meat and red meat increases pancreatic cancer risk, Dr. Chahal says.

Recovering through your diet

If you’ve suffered an acute pancreatitis episode, you can help speed your recovery with some dietary and lifestyle changes, she says.

Try these tips:

  • Eat 6 to 8 small meals a day. It’s easier on your pancreas.
  • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of MCTs to your daily diet and you can continue this if you have moderately severe or severe chronic pancreatitis.
  • Take a multivitamin to replenish vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, zinc and folic acid.
  • Limit total fat intake to less than 30 grams per day. Eliminate saturated fats.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Don’t smoke (or do your best to quit).
  • Stay hydrated.

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

Ultimately, controlling your diet is often an effective way to protect your pancreas, Dr. Chahal says. “Whether the inflammation is acute or chronic, we want to minimize the extra workload for the pancreas,” she says.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Mom with sick baby virtual appointment with doctor
July 21, 2021/Children's Health
Could Your Child’s Tummy Pain Be Pancreatitis?

How to know when a stomachache is something more serious

Illustration of pancreas in the human body
November 23, 2020/Digestive
How to Lower Your Risk of Future Pancreatitis Attacks

Hint: smoking, drinking and diet play a role

Salmon topped with sliced cucumbers and onion on cheese and toast
March 14, 2025/Nutrition
Does the MIND Diet Actually Boost Your Memory?

Our expert’s take on this brain-boosting diet

Various herbs and spices like paprika, tumeric, bay leaf, rosemary, cumin and peppercorns
March 13, 2025/Nutrition
How To Add Flavor to Your Food Without Salt

Keep the flavor and cut the sodium by using herbs, garlic, ginger, citrus and more in your cooking

Person holding smartphone, looking at diet app
March 10, 2025/Weight Loss
How the Cleveland Clinic Diet App Works

No one diet is right for everyone — but the Cleveland Clinic Diet app meets your personalized needs

Person about to eat a plate full of pancakes with blueberries on top
February 26, 2025/Digestive
Can Food Change the Color of Your Poop?

Diet offers a rainbow of possibilities when it comes to the hue of your stool

Glass of water and waterbottle, and figs, plums, walnuts and apples, with weights nearby
February 25, 2025/Digestive
9 Tips To Relieve Constipation at Home

Drinking water, eating high-fiber foods and exercising are just a few of the ways to get back to your ‘regular’ self

Hand scooping up spoonful of yogurt, granola and fruit from bowl
February 13, 2025/Nutrition
Is 1,200 Calories a Day Healthy? Advice and Sample Menus

Some people can safely lose weight on just 1,200 calories — but it’s not right for everyone

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad