Top Foods To Eat With Pancreatitis, According to a Dietitian

Pancreatitis is characterized by painful swelling of the pancreas—an organ tucked behind the stomach that sits near the liver.

The condition can develop after alcohol abuse (as well as excessive drinking) or as a side effect of gallbladder disease. 

Pancreatitis is often categorized into two main types: acute and chronic. 

Acute pancreatitis is short-term and should resolve after a few days of treatment.

Chronic pancreatitis lasts longer, but if you modify your food and beverage choices, you may experience fewer symptoms. 

Keep reading to learn which foods can help your pancreas heal, why it’s beneficial to cut back on alcohol, and how nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian can help.  

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Top Foods to Eat With Pancreatitis, According to a Dietitian

There’s no official diet for managing pancreatitis, but general guidelines suggest eating more foods that are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.

Examples of these foods include: 

• Fruits, like berries, pomegranates, and others. 
• A variety of colorful vegetables. 
• Fish rich in healthy fats like salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring. 
• Low-fat Kefir (drinkable yogurt). 
• Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut. 

Some people will feel better following a low (or reduced) fat diet that includes lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. 

To confidently know what to eat, we recommend working with a registered dietitian who can develop a customized meal plan to help you feel your best.

Without professional nutrition guidance, you may unintentionally over-restrict your fat intake, which may not be necessary. 

If you need meal ideas right now, check out our free pancreatitis meal plan, which includes seven days of snacks and meals. 

Lean Proteins

While managing pancreatitis, try to choose lean protein sources whenever possible, as they tend to be easier to digest. 

Lean sources of protein include: 

• Beans (kidney beans, black beans, white beans, navy beans, chickpeas, lentils, etc.) 
• Poultry without the skin (chicken, quail, turkey, etc.) 
• Fish filet (haddock, tilapia, tuna, salmon, halibut, catfish, etc.) 
• Soy products (edamame, tofu, tempeh.) 
• Eggs. 
• Low-fat Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. 
• Seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, etc.) 

If you eat three meals a day and fill a quarter of your plate with a lean source of protein at every meal, you are probably eating enough protein. 

If you don’t eat meat and struggle to get enough protein, ask your dietitian for vegan and vegetarian options. They may also suggest a protein powder if needed. 

Fiber-Rich Foods

Many adults benefit from eating approximately 25-30g of fiber daily to stay regular and maintain overall health.

However, it’s unclear how much is recommended for managing pancreatitis. 

Too much fiber (over 25g for women and 38g for men) may overburden your digestive system, making it harder for pancreatic enzymes to break down food—potentially impairing nutrient absorption.

Eating too much fiber may also exacerbate abdominal pain by increasing gas production. 

Try to incorporate fiber-rich foods into your meals, but don’t push yourself to eat more than you need.

Foods that contain fiber include: 

• Fruits. 
• Vegetables. 
• Whole grains.
• Nuts and seeds (these foods are naturally high in fat, and your dietitian can recommend an appropriate serving size). 
• Seeds. 
• Beans. 

Whole Grains

Whole grains are nutrient-dense, rich in fiber, and provide the energy you need to function. For optimal health, the USDA recommends that whole grains make up about 50% of your daily carbohydrate intake.

To put this into practice, try to fill a quarter of your plate with whole grains.

Examples of whole grains include: 

• Quinoa. 
• Teff. 
• Millet. 
• Wheat berries. 
• Amaranth. 
• Oats. 
• Farro. 
• Brown and black rice. 
• Barley. 
• Bulgur. 

Cooking tips: Different grains have unique cooking times, so be sure to read the package instructions carefully. Also, boiling grains in a low-sodium or salt-free stock adds more flavor than plain water (especially when cooking quinoa). 

Low-Fat Dairy

Dairy products offer protein and calcium and are sometimes fortified with vitamin D, which supports bone health and immune system function.

This is relevant as some research suggests that pancreatitis can increase the risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. 

Try to include low-fat, fortified dairy products at meals and snacks, such as any of the examples listed below:

• Low-fat milk. 
• Low-fat yogurt. 
• Low-fat cheeses. 
• Low-fat kefir. 
• Low-fat buttermilk. 
• Evaporated fat-free milk. 

Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals that can cause inflammation if their levels become too high.

Consuming foods and beverages with antioxidants may help your body heal after acute pancreatitis, but it’s unclear how beneficial they are for chronic pancreatitis.  

Still, eating these foods is beneficial as antioxidants support many areas of your health. Enjoy: 

• Fruits. 
• Vegetables. 
• Spices. 
• Herbs. 
• Teas. 
• Legumes. 

‍Supplements containing antioxidants are available at many pharmacies and health food stores, but you may not need to take them if you eat a nutritionally diverse diet. 

Depending on your current health status, some supplements may not be safe and may be contraindicated for some prescription drugs.

Consult your doctor or dietitian if you have any questions about these types of products. 

Foods to Avoid with Pancreatitis

There are some foods and beverages you may want to avoid with pancreatitis.

We’ve captured some options below, but you can ask your dietitian for more personalized recommendations. 

Alcohol

US health authorities recommend decreasing your alcohol intake if you have pancreatitis.

This means you should avoid drinking:

• Beer. 
• Wine. 
• Spritzers.
• Cocktails. 
• Hard liquors. 
• Mixed drinks, like sangria. 

Caffeinated Products 

Experts also recommend limiting caffeine while recovering from pancreatitis.

This includes: 

• Coffee. 
• Energy drinks. 
• Coffee-based snacks, including chocolate-covered coffee beans. 
• Sodas. 

Your healthcare team can tell you when consuming more caffeine is safe and will suggest a daily limit. 

High-fat foods 

Consuming high-fat foods can aggravate the pancreas, and even nutritious sources of fat (avocados, plant-based oils, etc.) should be limited if you experience digestive side effects like pain or changes in stool. 

‍High-fat foods can include:

• Nuts and seeds, as well as nut and seed butter. 
• Full-fat cheeses, yogurts, milk, creamers, and other dairy products. 
• Many decadent desserts and commercially baked goods. 
• Fried foods, including donuts and savory french fries, chips, etc. 
• Avocado and related products, like guacamole. 
• Oils, spreads, and butter. 
• Marbled, processed meats, including bacon and some deli meats. 

Your healthcare provider will let you know how much daily fat you can consume while recovering from pancreatitis.  

Tips for Recovering from Acute Pancreatitis

Drinking fluids is essential to staying hydrated while recovering from acute pancreatitis.

It’s important to get plenty of bed rest so your body can heal, and your healthcare team may also suggest taking painkillers to help you feel more comfortable. 

Your appetite may be affected (decreased) while experiencing pain, but when you feel hungry again, you should consume small, easy-to-digest meals like vegetable soups or lean stews.

Try to limit your intake of high-fat foods and stick with simple dishes that are easy to eat. 

Many people recover from acute pancreatitis within two weeks, but if your symptoms persist or worsen, you may need more significant medical care. 

Takeaway

Many people recover from acute pancreatitis by taking pain management medications and later changing their lifestyle and diet when they feel better.

These modifications may also help chronic pancreatitis.

When preparing meals, try to choose antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and lean proteins like eggs, fish, and some animal meats. Fiber-rich beans are also an excellent choice.

You may feel better after reducing your fat intake, but this should be done under the guidance of a dietitian so you don’t over-restrict your intake. 

You can easily find a dietitian to work with by signing up for nutrition counseling through Nourish. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

A registered dietitian is a nutrition expert who can help you heal from pancreatitis flare-ups and teach you how to manage your condition long-term through nutrition changes.

They’re also knowledgeable and considerate of cultural influences on food choices and will always accommodate your preferences when building a meal plan. 

You can access medical nutrition therapy by signing up with Nourish, a growing telehealth group that makes accessing evidence-based nutrition care easier than ever. 

Every dietitian offers remote counseling that can be done from the comfort of your own home. Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.