How to gain weight in pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas is accompanied by a violation of the processes responsible for digesting food. After all, with pancreatitis there is a disorder in the development of certain enzymes necessary for processing incoming food. The result can be weight loss. This problem worries many patients with chronic pancreatitis and they are wondering how to gain weight.
In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand why this disease shows weight loss.
Why weight loss occurs
One of the functions of the pancreas is the production of enzymes involved in the digestion of food. Synthesis of these enzymes occurs in the gland, after which they enter a special duct into the duodenum, where they take an active part in the digestion process.
But for some reasons( eating too much fatty food or drinking alcohol), the production of these enzymes in the gland increases, which is accompanied by a slowing of their outflow from the pancreas. As a result, enzymes begin their activity in the organ itself, leading to its inflammation. And in the duodenum these enzymes are not enough, as a result of which the digestion process is disrupted and the substances necessary for the organism are not digested. As a result, weight loss is observed.
How to gain weight
One of the main principles of treatment for pancreatitis is compliance with the diet. Without it, it is almost impossible to normalize the pancreas, since any failure in the diet can trigger an exacerbation of the disease.
The first step is to completely eliminate from the diet food products that are able to induce and maintain inflammation.
Such products include:
- fatty foods;
- sharp and smoked products;
- alcoholic beverages;
- broth;
- baking;
- raw vegetables;
- coffee;
- products containing coarse fiber;
- rye bread;
- fizzy drinks;
- juices.
All of the above products are stimulants of increased secretory activity of the pancreas, so their exclusion from the diet will help to reduce the production of digestive enzymes and stop the inflammation.
It is also important to adhere to fractional and frequent food. In acute pancreatitis, food should be eaten at least 6 times during the day, while the portions themselves should be small. It is also necessary to minimize the digestive tract, for this all food should be eaten in a grated form. For example, you can cook meat or fish souffle, mucous soups, liquid cereal.
During the acute period, the amount of salt used should be reduced, this will help to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and also reduce pancreatic edema. Oil in the dish should be added after cooking, with preference given to creamy. From drinks useful will be jelly, broth of a dogrose, tea.
Gradually, as the status improves, the menu can change. In particular, a variety of vegetable purees( for example, potato-carrot) are added. Of vegetables, it is better to give preference to those that have soft fiber, such as cauliflower, zucchini. Baked apples, as well as steamed burgers, will be useful.
After the end of the acute period of pancreatitis, when weight loss is stopped, you can think about how to gain weight. After removing many strict dietary restrictions, the menu of remission should be revised in such a way that the products used are well absorbed and weight can be gained.
And for this you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- increase the amount of protein products in your diet;
- enrich food with a variety of vitamins and minerals;
- leave fractional power;
- use protein cocktails.
Let us dwell in more detail on these points.
The main principle for weight gain in pancreatitis should be an increase in the diet of protein foods.
It is the main building material for cells and promotes the necessary weight gain. In this case, the emphasis should be on proteins of animal origin. For example, the ideal products will be lean meat, as well as low-fat cottage cheese. Also included in the diet of a low-fat bird. Regular presence in the menu of these products will provide the body with sufficient protein. It is also important that this protein will be well absorbed, the digestion process will be adjusted and weight gain will be noted.
Also, food should be maximally enriched with vitamins and minerals. They are required to restore disturbed metabolism during weight loss in pancreatitis, and if they are sufficient, metabolic processes will be restored, which will positively affect weight.
In addition, protein shakes can be used for weight gain. You can prepare them at home. For this, milk, cottage cheese, eggs are often used, and as an addition to the cocktail, ice cream and bananas are taken. The main task of protein cocktails in pancreatitis is to maintain a high level of proteins in the body.
Adherence to all the above recommendations on nutrition will help gain weight in pancreatitis. But before using them, it is better to consult a doctor so that the weight restoration process can go smoothly.
