Nutrition

• Nutrition plays a key role in managing chronic pancreatitis because the disease affects the pancreas' ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
• Over time, this can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and weakened physical strength.
• A proper diet helps prevent symptom flares, supports stable blood sugar levels, and improves the body's ability to recover from illness or surgery.

Chronic pancreatitis contributes to malnutrition in several ways.

• Pain after eating may reduce appetite and lead to decreased food intake.
• Persistent nausea makes a patient avoid eating.
• Long-term alcohol use can result in poor dietary habits and additional nutrient depletion.
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency leads to poor absorption of fats and proteins.
• Malabsorption increases the risk of deficiencies in essential nutrients, particularly fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
• Your body burns more calories than usual due to chronic inflammation, meaning that even a normal calorie intake may not be enough to maintain your body weight.

• The first step to detect malnutrition is to undergo a thorough nutritional assessment.
• The evaluation should include a review of symptoms like nausea, weight loss, or diarrhea, and an assessment of pancreatic function, body composition, bone health, and current dietary habits.
• Lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity should also be considered.
• Nutritional screening identifies patients at risk, so that personalized nutrition plans can be created before more severe complications occur.

People with chronic pancreatitis should focus on a low-fat, high-protein, and well-balanced diet. Recommended food choices include:

• Fruits: Fresh, frozen, or canned without added sugars.
• Vegetables: Fresh, cooked, or steamed (avoid frying).
• Whole grains: Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oats, quinoa, and whole-grain pasta.
• Lean proteins: Skinless chicken, turkey, white fish, and egg whites.
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese alternatives like almond or rice milk.
• Legumes: Beans, lentils, and split peas (boiled or steamed).
• Broths: Clear, non-fat broths for soups and cooking.
• Healthy cooking methods: Baking, roasting, steaming, or grilling without oil or butter.
• Cooking sprays: Use non-fat sprays instead of oil or butter.
• Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil: May be helpful as it is absorbed directly and doesn't require pancreatic enzymes.

Certain foods can trigger symptoms and should be limited or avoided:

• Fried or fatty meats: Bacon, sausage, and meats cooked in oil.
• High-fat dairy products: Whole milk, cream, full-fat yogurt, cheese sauces, and milkshakes.
• Oily or processed meats: Canned meats in oil, salami, liver, and organ meats.
• Fat-rich vegetables: Fried or stir-fried vegetables and avocados.
• Nuts and nut products: Whole nuts, peanut butter, almond butter, and coconut-based products.
• High-fat grains: Biscuits, croissants, fried rice, and buttery breads.
• Spreads and dressings: Mayonnaise, butter, lard, and creamy dressings.

Simple changes in eating habits can help reduce symptoms and improve digestion:

• Eat small, frequent meals: Instead of three large meals, aim for 4 to 6 smaller meals spaced throughout the day. This helps reduce the workload on the pancreas and may minimize pain, bloating, and discomfort.
• Chew food slowly and thoroughly: Taking your time to eat can improve digestion and reduce the risk of feeling overly full or nauseated.
• Avoid lying down right after eating: Staying upright for at least 30–60 minutes after meals can aid digestion and reduce bloating.
• Keep a food and symptom diary: Tracking what you eat and how you feel afterward can help identify personal food triggers. Share this journal with your healthcare provider or dietitian for better dietary planning.

The dietary recommendations provided here are general guidelines for people living with chronic pancreatitis. However, each person's condition is unique, and nutritional needs can vary greatly depending on other health conditions. That is why it is important to work closely with a nutritionist, who can help develop a personalized meal plan that considers not only your pancreatic health but also any associated medical issues.

• Diabetes: Requires careful control of sugar and carbohydrate intake to manage blood glucose levels.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: May improve by avoiding specific food triggers; some patients benefit from a low FODMAP diet.
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Often managed with a low FODMAP diet to reduce gas and bloating.
• Celiac disease: Requires a strict gluten-free diet to prevent intestinal damage and nutrient malabsorption.
• Other conditions: Lactose intolerance, food allergies, or gallbladder removal may require further dietary adjustments.

• Do you need assistance having enough money to buy groceries and add high-quality food such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish?
• Many people in America have a hard time paying for enough food to feed themselves and their families.
• Having enough money to pay for food can be particularly hard when you are trying to add foods such as olive oil, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, which can be expensive.
• If you are having trouble getting enough food or if you are skipping meals, see if you qualify for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program helps people purchase healthy food.
• If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a young child, you may be eligible for the USDA's Women's Infant and Children program (see links below for more information in the "Resources For Healthy Eating on a Budget" section).

Additional Money Saving Tips When Grocery Shopping

• Ask about discounts. Ask your local grocery stores if they have a senior discount or a loyalty or discount card. Besides getting items at a lower price, you may also get store coupons.
• Use coupons when you can. Remember, coupons only help if they are for things you would buy anyway. Sometimes, another brand costs less even after you use the coupon.
• Consider store brands – they usually cost less. These products are made under a special label, sometimes with the store name. You might have to look on shelves that are higher or lower than eye level to find them.
• Be aware that convenience costs more. You can often save money if you are willing to do a little work. For example, buy whole chickens and cut them into parts, shred or grate your own cheese, and avoid instant rice or instant oatmeal. Bagged salad mixes cost more and might not stay fresh as long as a head of lettuce.
• Look at unit prices. Those small stickers on the shelves tell you not only the price but also the unit price – how much the item costs per ounce or per pound. Compare unit prices to see which brand is the best value.
• Try to buy in bulk, but only buy a size you can use before it goes bad. If you buy meat in bulk, decide what you need to use that day and freeze the rest in portion-sized packages right away.
• Focus on economical fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, oranges, cabbage, sweet potatoes, dark-green leafy vegetables, green peppers, and regular carrots.
• Think about the foods you throw away. For less waste, buy or cook only what you need.
• Resist temptations at the checkout. Those snack foods and candy are put there for impulse buying. Save money and avoid empty calories!

Resources for people with chronic pancreatitis

• Mission:cure
• National pancreas foundation cookbook PDF and National pancreas foundation cookbook page

Resources For Healthy Eating on a Budget

• National Institute of Aging "10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget" accessed August 19th, 2019.
• What is SNAP: S.N.A.P. stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program provides you with money to help you afford food each month.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: If you need help completing the SNAP application, contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) at 1-855-275-6424 or here are directions for applying online for SNAP from the nams,vnma.x, Food Gatherers.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Provides supplemental nutrition support for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk. To determine if you are eligible and to apply for benefits visit - https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

When someone you care about is living with chronic pancreatitis, eating can become a daily challenge. The pancreas plays a major role in digestion, so when it's inflamed or damaged, it can be hard to absorb nutrients or even enjoy food without pain, nausea, or fatigue. As a family member or friend, here's how you can help:

• Be patient with their eating habits. They may need to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid certain foods, even if they were favorites before.
• Encourage—not pressure—eating. Appetite may be low, especially during flares. Gentle encouragement and eating together can help.
• Help with meal preparation. Preparing low-fat, high-protein, well-balanced meals can make a big difference in their comfort and health.
• Support tube feeding, if needed. If the person you care about has a feeding tube, learn how it works. Offer to help with cleaning, setting up feeds, or keeping track of supplies.
• Celebrate small wins. Gaining a few pounds or feeling stronger after meals is a big deal, acknowledge these victories.

Remember: managing nutrition is part of their medical care. Your support, kindness, and understanding help more than you might realize.