Food Items Good for Your Pancreas

An inflammation of the pancreas causes pancreatitis. During such malfunctioning, it releases enzymes even before the digestion process starts, which begins to affect the organ adversely. Therefore, it is important to choose the right foods for healthy pancreas.

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Lentils and beans
4. Garden-fresh herbs
5. Natural spices
6. Whole grains
7. Low-fat dairy
8. Lean meat
9. White fish
10. Canned fish
11. Sauce (tomato-based)
12. Coconut oil

Food items you must avoid for a healthy pancreas include -

• Full-fat milk and cream
• Processed or frozen meat, red meat and organ meat
• Fatty fish
• Avocado
• Olive oil
• Fried food like potato chips
• Pastries, desserts and beverages with added sugar
• Butter, mayonnaise and margarine
• Refined carbohydrates like white bread

The first step to healing your pancreas and maintaining its proper health is to refrain from consuming junk foods and drinks. A healthy diet for your pancreas must include protein-rich food with less animal fat and more antioxidants. 

Although food requirements of every patient may vary, there are some general guidelines of diet to follow.

A healthy diet for your pancreas must include these types of foods mentioned below -

• High Fibre Foods: Foods rich in high fibre are a staple for a pancreatitis diet. These foods lower the chance of triglycerides buildup in your blood. They also prevent the development of gallbladder stones. Thus, these food items help heal acute pancreatitis and prevent it from turning into chronic pancreatitis.
• Low-Fat Foods: Low-fat foods ease the pancreas’ role in digestion. This helps your pancreas heal rapidly, which makes these some of the healthiest foods for pancreas.
• Foods Rich in Antioxidants: Your pancreas will also need foods loaded with antioxidants if you have pancreatitis. These antioxidants will help mitigate the inflammation and heal the organ.
• Lean Protein: Lean protein reduces the work of your pancreas in the digestion process. Along with that, it fulfils the protein requirements to strengthen your body.
• Foods Having Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Adding foods with medium-chain triglycerides to your regular diet will help absorb the nutrients.

There is no specific time that is ideal to consume pancreas-friendly food items. However, it is important to be consistent with your meal schedules.

Eating healthy food in 3 or 4 large meals makes the digestive process difficult for your pancreas. Therefore, doctors or health experts suggest eating small meals 6 to 8 times a day.

It eases the mechanism for your pancreas as well as the other digestive organs. These meals should be scheduled properly and followed consistently every day to heal your pancreatitis.

Your food habits have an impact on the pancreas as much as your other digestive organs. The importance of a healthy diet for pancreas is as follows -

• A healthy diet will help achieve primary nutrition goals that are essential for chronic pancreatitis. Such goals include preventing nutritional deficiency and maintaining blood sugar levels.
• A healthy diet with low fat and lean protein eases the digestive mechanism for your pancreas. This speeds up the healing process of your pancreas in case of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
• Foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will reduce the inflammation in your pancreas.
• If you are a pancreatitis patient, drinking alcohol increases the risk of a pancreatitis attack. This also affects and damages your kidneys , leading to pancreas disorders.

Your pancreas is one of the most crucial organs of your digestive system. It releases enzymes that help you digest by breaking down the foods. Another important function of this organ is to regulate blood sugar level.

In many cases of a severe attack of chronic pancreatitis, doctors prescribe intravenous fluid treatment. But once your medical experts allow you to eat, you must only choose the best foods for healthy pancreas.