A pancreatitis diet for those experiencing an acute flare-up should first be preceded by a few days of fasting to help manage the symptoms of a flare-up. Fasting should then be followed by a liquid diet, made-up of soups, vegetable and meat broths, fruit juices and coconut water.

For chronic pancreatitis, patients should maintain a low-fat diet, avoid alcohol and reduce intake of processed foods. This will help to prevent flare-ups.

A proper diet is essential for treating pancreatitis as it helps relieve the symptoms of this condition, as well as prevent nutrient deficiencies and significant weight loss. However, the diet may vary depending on the type of pancreatitis, and therefore patients are advised to consult a registered before starting the diet.

Diet for acute pancreatitis

The diet for acute pancreatitis should be adhered to in a hospital diet, as it starts by fasting for two days, until symptoms are managed. The doctors may order IV hydration and feeding through GI tubes as needed.

After an acute pancreatitis attack, the registered dietitian may prescribe a liquid diet, consisting of soups, vegetable and meat broths, low-fat blended smoothies, strained fruit juices and coconut water.

As the patient progresses and improves their food toleration, low-fat solid food options can be introduced, such as lean meats, fish and skinless chicken. Vegetables and fruits at this stage should be cooked to facilitate digestion.

Foods to eat

After a pancreatitis flare-up, you should opt for the following foods

Low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk, skim yogurt and white cheeses
Easily digestible grains, such as white rice, white pasta and white bread
Tubers, such as potatoes, particularly in mashed form
Lean meats, such as eggs, turkey, fish and skinless chicken
Cooked vegetables, such as pumpkin, chayote, carrots, beets and zucchini
Cooked fruits, without peels or seeds.

This diet should last for approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the crisis, depending on each person's tolerance and progression.

Foods to avoid

To avoid new pancreatitis flare-ups, you should avoid foods such as:

Foods that irritate the gut, such as coffee, mint and pepper
High fat foods, such as red meat, butter, yellow cheeses, biscuits, ice cream and margarine
Processed meat, such as sausage, bacon, ham, mortadella
Frozen ready-to-eat meals, hamburgers, lasagna and fast food in general
Foods rich in sugar, such as cakes, ice cream, puddings and jellies

Furthermore, you should avoid alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine and liquor.

Diet for chronic pancreatitis

The goals of a chronic pancreatitis diet are to prevent weight loss, stimulate appetite and relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

What to eat

Patients with chronic pancreatitis should prioritize the following foods:

Low-fat dairy products such as skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheeses such as cottage and ricotta cheese
Whole grains, such as brown rice, whole-grain pasta and whole-grain bread
Lean meats, such as eggs, fish and skinless chicken
Vegetables, such as okra, jiló, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, pumpkin and lettuce
Fruits, such as apple, pear, pineapple, mango, guava, banana and cashew
Plant-based fats in moderation, such as olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil
Herbs and spices, such as pepper, cinnamon, coriander, parsley and chives
Drinks, such as water, teas and coconut water

Because chronic pancreatitis can lead to poor nutrient absorption, your doctor or dietitian may also prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

Food to avoid

Foods that should be avoided when experiencing chronic pancreatitis include:

High-fat foods, such as red meat, whole milk, butter, yellow cheeses, full-fat yogurt, cookies, ice cream and margarine
Sausages, bacon, ham, mortadella
Processed foods, such as hamburgers, pizza, lasagna and fast food
Foods rich in sugar, such as chocolate, ice cream, cakes and jams
Ready-made sauces and seasonings, such as mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise and seasonings in sachets or cubes
Alcoholic drinks, such as beer, whiskey and sparkling wine

It is also essential to avoid large meals, and opting instead for 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day.

3-day meal plan

The following table outlines a 3-day sample meal plan for the pancreatitis diet:

Meal	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Breakfast	240 ml of strained apple juice + 2 toasts + 1 boiled egg	Porridge made with 200 ml of skim milk + 2 tablespoons of fine oat flakes	1 cup of skim milk + 2 slice of white bread with 2 slices of ricotta cheese
Morning snack	½ baked apple with cinnamon	1 baked pear	1 mashed banana
Lunch or dinner	Soup with pumpkin, squash, yam, carrot and cubed chicken breast + 1 tangerine	1 small grilled chicken breast +½ cup of rice + 4 tablespoons of boiled broccoli and carrots	1 small grilled fish fillet + 3 tablespoons of mashed potato + 3 tablespoons of boiled carrots and green beans
Afternoon snack	1 cup of orange juice + 1 skim Greek yogurt	1 skim Greek yogurt + 6 strawberries	1 skim Greek yogurt + 1 tablespoon of oats

This meal plan is just a sample, as the types of foods may vary depending on the type of pancreatitis (acute vs. chronic) and the patient’s general health status. Therefore, you are advised to consult a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan adapted to your individual health needs.