PANCREATITIS DIET
(For Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis – Medical Nutrition Therapy)
⚠️ General Principle:
Low fat • Moderate protein • High complex carbohydrates • Small frequent meals • No alcohol • Adequate hydration • Easily digestible foods
Meal Pattern:
• 6–7 small meals daily
• Every 2.5–3 hours
• Warm, soft, non-spicy foods
• Avoid deep fried, heavy oils, excess sugar
A – Apple (Stewed / Baked)
Preparation: Peel → chop → boil with little water → mash
Portion: ½–1 cup
Time: Mid-morning snack
Combine with: Soft oats or thin porridge
Benefit: Pectin supports digestion, low fat
B – Brown Rice (Well Cooked / Soft)
Preparation: Cook with extra water until very soft
Portion: 1 small bowl
Time: Lunch
Combine with: Moong dal, steamed vegetables
Avoid: Ghee, butter
C – Carrot (Steamed / Soup)
Preparation: Steam 10–12 mins or pressure cook → blend for soup
Portion: 1 cup
Time: Lunch / Dinner
Combine with: Pumpkin, bottle gourd
Benefit: Easy fiber, non-irritating
D – Dal (Yellow Moong – Best)
Preparation: Pressure cook well → no tadka → minimal cumin
Portion: ½–1 cup
Time: Lunch
Combine with: Soft rice / chapati
Avoid: Rajma, chole during acute stage
E – Egg White (Only if tolerated)
Preparation: Boiled or scrambled without oil
Portion: 1–2 whites
Time: Breakfast
Combine with: Soft toast
Avoid: Yolk (high fat)
F – Fenugreek Water
Preparation: Soak 1 tsp overnight → boil → strain
Time: Early morning empty stomach
Benefit: Anti-inflammatory, blood sugar control
G – Green Gram (Moong Whole – Sprouted Lightly)
Preparation: Light steam only
Portion: ½ cup
Time: Evening snack
Avoid raw sprouts during acute attack
H – Hydration (ORS / Coconut Water)
Portion: Small sips every hour
Time: Throughout day
Avoid: Packaged sugary drinks
I – Idli (Soft Steamed)
Preparation: Steamed only
Portion: 2 small
Time: Breakfast
Combine with: Thin sambar (no oil floating)
J – Jeera Water
Preparation: Boil ½ tsp cumin in water
Time: After meals
Benefit: Reduces bloating
K – Khichdi (Moong + Rice)
Preparation: Pressure cook very soft, no ghee
Portion: 1 bowl
Time: Lunch or Dinner
Add: Turmeric pinch
L – Lauki (Bottle Gourd)
Preparation: Steam / light curry without oil
Portion: 1 cup
Time: Lunch
Benefit: Very light on pancreas
M – Milk (Low Fat / Skimmed)
Portion: 1 cup diluted
Time: Evening
Avoid: Full cream
N – Oats (Thin Porridge)
Preparation: Cook in water, add little skim milk
Time: Breakfast
Avoid: Nuts topping
O – Orange (Sweet, not sour)
Portion: 1 small
Time: Mid-morning
Avoid: On empty stomach if acidity
P – Papaya (Ripe)
Portion: 1 cup
Time: Evening snack
Benefit: Digestive enzymes
Q – Quinoa (Soft Cooked)
Preparation: Cook with extra water
Time: Lunch
Combine with: Steamed vegetables
R – Rice Kanji (Rice Gruel)
Preparation: Overcook rice → strain
Time: Acute stage
Best for: Pain recovery days
S – Spinach (Well Cooked & Pureed)
Preparation: Boil → blend → light seasoning
Portion: ½ cup
Avoid raw
T – Tender Chicken (Boiled)
Preparation: Pressure cook → shred
Portion: 50–75 g
Time: Lunch
Avoid: Frying
U – Upma (Very Little Oil)
Preparation: Minimal oil, add vegetables
Time: Breakfast
V – Vegetable Soup (Clear)
Preparation: Boil veggies → strain → no cream
Time: Dinner
W – Watermelon
Portion: 1 cup
Time: Afternoon
Avoid excess
X – Xylitol (Limited Use)
Use: If diabetic and sugar replacement needed
Avoid excess
Y – Yogurt (Low Fat)
Preparation: Fresh, not sour
Portion: ½ cup
Time: Lunch
Avoid: At night in acute stage
Z – Zucchini (Steamed)
Preparation: Light steam
Time: Dinner
Easy digestion
❌ STRICTLY AVOID
Alcohol
Deep fried foods
Butter, cream
Red meat
Bakery cream items
Spicy gravies
Processed meat
Full fat dairy
Excess sugar
Daily Sample Timing Plan
6:00 AM – Warm water / fenugreek water
8:00 AM – Oats / Idli + egg white
11:00 AM – Apple / Papaya
1:30 PM – Soft rice + moong dal + lauki
4:30 PM – Coconut water + steamed sprouts
7:00 PM – Vegetable soup + soft chapati
9:00 PM – Warm skim milk
Important Clinical Notes
• Acute attack → Liquid diet first 24–48 hrs
• Chronic → Maintain <20–30% calories from fat
• Protein 1–1.2 g/kg body weight
• Enzyme supplements if prescribed
• Monitor triglycerides
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