Nutrition for exacerbation of pancreatitis of the pancreas

Pancreatitis disrupts the functioning of the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes and hormones. Eating heavy foods, fatty and spicy foods increases the severity of inflammatory processes. Therefore, in the treatment of exacerbations of the disease, together with the use of medicines, diet therapy plays the most important role. Let's look at what nutrition should be during an exacerbation of pancreatitis of the pancreas.

Why does inflammation of the pancreas develop?

The pancreas has two functions in the human body. The first is associated with the production of enzymes that are part of the pancreatic secretion and are necessary for the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. After eating, the juice of the gland is thrown into the duodenal cavity, where it interacts with the food lump. Thanks to the splitting, it becomes possible for the absorption of amino acids, vitamins, carbohydrates and other substances necessary for vital activity.

The second function of the pancreas is related to the production of hormones - insulin and glucagon. Both are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, the first promotes the transfer of glucose from blood plasma to tissues, the second has the opposite effect.

With inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), the organ's ability to perform these two functions decreases. Therefore, the patient develops complaints related to indigestion, and signs of diabetes may appear. The causes of pancreatitis are most often associated with alcohol abuse or an unhealthy diet that includes large amounts of fatty, spicy, spicy foods.

The disease can be chronic or acute. In the first case, the alternation of periods of exacerbations with remissions is characteristic. The clinical picture of the acute form of the disease and exacerbations of the chronic is the same, and diet therapy during this period of the pathological process does not differ.

Read on our website about how to treat the pancreas. How to understand that the pancreas hurts? How to remove an attack? Doctor's advice on nutrition for diseases of the pancreas.

Features of exacerbation of pancreatitis

Before talking about what changes in the diet should be during an exacerbation of inflammation, it is necessary to find out what disorders of the digestive process occur at this time. The acute form of pathology is characterized by:

• a change in acid balance downward - acidification of the contents of the small intestine occurs. Because of this, the appearance of heartburn, sour belching, discomfort and burning sensation in the upper abdomen is possible;
• accumulation of enzymes in the ducts and tissues of the gland. As a result, the organ digests itself, resulting in a further increase in inflammatory processes and the appearance of very severe pain in the abdomen or right side;
• accumulation of toxic products of metabolism and tissue decaywhat is the cause of general intoxication;
• decreased insulin secretionwhich can lead to signs of diabetes.

To stop the processes of destruction of the gland, treatment is carried out, which includes three areas:

• diet therapy;
• the use of drugs to reduce the severity of inflammatory processes, replacement of insufficiently produced gland enzymes;
• surgical intervention.

As mentioned earlier, changing the diet is the basis for the treatment of acute forms of pancreatitis. If the patient follows the recommendations given by the doctor, the healing process can be significantly shortened. However, it often happens that after discharge, people return to old eating habits, which negates all efforts to achieve remission.

Consider the basic principles of diet therapy, depending on the stage of the pathological process.

Diet with exacerbation of pancreatitis

In the first days after the appearance of signs of an exacerbation of the disease, the patient is contraindicated to eat any food. It is only allowed to drink a little bit of plain or mineral water. If the patient's urination is not disturbed, he can drink no more than one liter per day.

Water helps to reduce the secretion of enzymes and pancreatic juice, which helps to reduce the severity of inflammation in the gland and pain. In addition, drinking fluids leads to increased urination, which is necessary to remove toxic substances from the body.

Complete hunger is shown to be observed during the first two days. In some cases, this period can be extended to four days. Together with mineral waters, you can use rosehip decoction in an amount of no more than five glasses.

They begin to expand the food ration from about the third day of illness. Shown to eat low-calorie foods. All meals should be prepared on the basis of products that do not contain animal fats, salt and spices. These components are prohibited, as they lead to an increase in the production of pancreatic enzymes and can lead to a re-exacerbation of the disease.

Important! The patient must strictly adhere to the nutritional advice of the doctor. In the first days after an exacerbation, even minor deviations from the diet can lead to signs of inflammation and a deterioration in the general condition of the patient.

The diet during the recovery period of the disease must comply with the principles of sparing - chemical and mechanical. This means that the meals and components included in the diet should not enhance the secretion of gastric and pancreatic juice, as well as easy to digest and not have a damaging effect on the mucous membrane intestines.

In addition, food should be provided with all the necessary components - proteins, lipids, sugars, vitamins. Products should not contain irritating substances, seasonings, pepper, salt.

All dishes must be steam, but boiled food is also allowed. Steam cooking is considered preferable because the food is easier to digest and does not cause significant release of digestive enzymes. Dishes are best served in small pieces or puree. Food should not be too hot or cold, the optimal temperature range is 40-60 degrees.

The number of meals should be five to six. This is necessary so that the load on the gastrointestinal tract does not increase significantly, and a repeated exacerbation does not develop.

Recommended content of basic substances in one serving is shown in table 1.

Table 1. Recommended content of basic substances in 1 serving in case of exacerbation of pancreatitis

Substance	Mass in 1 serving of food
Protein
General	90 g
Animal	40 g
Fats
General	80 g
Vegetable	30 g
Carbohydrates
General	300 g
Simple	60 g
Energy value	up to 2500 kcal

The patient should adhere to such a strict diet for several months until a stable remission of the disease occurs. In most cases, diet therapy is indicated for patients within 6-12 months.

Nutrition for exacerbation of pancreatitis of the pancreas

To simplify the selection of an appropriate diet during an exacerbation of the disease and during the recovery period, lists of acceptable and unacceptable types of food and products have been proposed.

Allowed food

• steamed low fat meat. Best of all, if it is chopped, you can make cutlets, meatballs from it. You can eat lean beef, chicken, rabbit, turkey;
  

  With pancreatitis, you can eat rabbit meat

• steamed or boiled fish. Choose a “skinny” variety such as flounder, cod or pollock. Fish cakes are preferred;
  

  Fish cutlets

• porridge boiled in water or with the addition of a small volume of milk (an equal ratio with water is allowed). Buckwheat, oatmeal, semolina, rice groats are allowed. Occasionally, you can eat corn or barley types of cereals, you need to refuse millet and pearl barley, as they are difficult to tolerate by the pancreas;
  

  Oatmeal on the water

• pasta, spaghetti - boiled, without any additives and sauces;
  

  Pasta should be eaten without sauces

• dairy products - you need to give up whole milk, as it enhances fermentation and can cause flatulence. It is better to give preference to fermented milk products, for example, kefir. As for cottage cheese, you can eat varieties with a fat content of about 9%. Curd casseroles are allowed. Cheese is also included in the list of permitted products, as long as it does not contain spices and other irritating ingredients (examples of permitted cheese: feta cheese, Russian, Dutch, feta cheese and others with a short period of time excerpts);
  

  It is better to replace whole milk with kefir

• eggs - it is allowed to use it occasionally, it is better to remove the yolk first. You can eat an omelet, you need to refuse from scrambled eggs;
  

  Omelette

• vegetables - these products can always be present in a therapeutic diet. The main condition is that they are well thermally processed and frayed. It is allowed to eat vegetable purees or cutlets. It is better to refuse tomatoes and white cabbage;
  

  Vegetable purees

• fruits - You can eat non-acidic varieties, grated or baked. It is also not forbidden to drink fruit compotes. It is allowed to eat baby food (fruit purees). Little by little, the use of watermelon or melon is allowed;
  

  You can buy ready-made fruit puree intended for baby food

• bread - only white and slightly dried, unsweetened varieties of cookies made from non-tasty dough;
• from sweet - you can eat jellymade from berries yourself, mousses. In small quantities, you can eat marshmallows and marshmallows.

From drinks it is allowed to drink non-carbonated mineral water, tea, rosehip broth, berry and fruit compotes, jelly.

Video - What foods can you eat with an exacerbation of pancreatitis?

You can find out about what foods are allowed after an exacerbation of inflammation of the pancreas in the next video.

What can not be eaten with exacerbation of pancreatitis?

In order not to provoke a repeated exacerbation, it is recommended to refuse the following types of food:

• fatty meats - pork, lamb, duck, etc. fried meat dishes, smoked meats, sausages, canned food, fatty broths, jellied meat;
  

  We'll have to give up the sausage

• fatty fish - salmon, herring, sprat, mackerel, etc. It is also forbidden to eat fried, smoked fish, canned food, caviar;
  

  The use of canned fish is contraindicated.

• among dairy products: fatty cottage cheese, curd cheeses, smoked cheese;
  

  Do not eat smoked cheese

• hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs;
  

  With pancreatitis, it is undesirable to eat scrambled eggs

• vegetables - all that contain a large amount of dietary fiber and can provoke the occurrence of flatulence - turnips, onions, sorrel, beans, horseradish, radishes and others. You should also give up all other types of raw vegetables;
  

  You can't eat raw vegetables

• sour, raw and very sweet fruits;
• sweet - chocolate, muffins, pastries;
• sparkling drinks, strong tea, coffee.

In each case, the doctor selects the diet individually. But nutritionists always adhere to the principles indicated above.

Diet after recovery

After a stable remission has been achieved, the patient can adhere to a more relaxed dietary regimen. Nutritionists advise at this time to increase the protein content in food, and raise the amount of fat to a normal level.

As for carbohydrates, their complex forms should prevail, for example, cereals, foods containing fiber. The amount of sugars and other simple carbohydrates should be below normal. This rule also applies to table salt and seasonings.

It is necessary to refuse all types of food that irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. It is forbidden to eat dishes that contain vinegar, hot spices, and drink alcoholic beverages.

Cooking options for people with pancreatitis in remission are increasing. For example, it is allowed to eat boiled, steam, baked, stewed and other types of dishes. Smoked and fried foods should be avoided, as they can still exacerbate inflammation.

The multiplicity of food intake should also be maintained at the level of six times a day. Food should be moderately hot or warm. The content of basic substances and the energy value of food in remission should be at the level.

Table 2. Recommended content of essential substances during remission

Substance	Mass in 1 serving of food
Protein
General	120 g
Animal	50 g
Fats
General	90 g
Vegetable	30 g
Carbohydrates
General	350 g
Simple	40 g
Energy value	2700-2800 kcal

As you can see from this table, it is allowed to eat a little more than during exacerbation treatment. It is also allowed to add some animal fats and increase the proportion of carbohydrates in the diet.

If the patient follows all the recommendations given to him by the attending physician, adheres to a diet and undergoes drug therapy, then the onset of remission will not be long in coming.