Foods for an inflamed pancreas can be grown in your own soil or easily purchased at your local grocery. Always choose organic varieties of these anti inflammatory foods to avoid environmental toxins such as pesticides. To heal an inflamed pancreas you need to adhere to an anti inflammatory diet.
Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Most foods are not anti-inflammatory and if you are trying to formulate your own anti-inflammation pancreatitis diet you want to eat foods that fight inflammation. Foods that are anti-inflammatory can be broken down into five groups that include:
Spices and Herbs
1) Spices and Herbs. Certain spices are strongly anti-inflammatory and can be easily used to put out the fire of an inflamed pancreas simply by adding them to your diet.
Garlic in every form, raw, powder, or cooked. When cooking the less it is cooked the more beneficial it is in regards to its myriad of benefits. For best results use 3 fresh raw cloves daily or one teaspoon of garlic powder by adding it to your meals.
Cayenne Pepper is one herb and spice that you should get to know inside and out. It is one of the most effective and highly anti-inflammatory herbs available and that is exactly why you find it in so many topical pain medications for such things as arthritis.
Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory and this potency is attributed to phenolic compounds called gingerols. In several studies ginger has been shown to be very useful in reducing pain and swelling for those who suffer from arthritis along with actually killing ovarian cancer cells.
Turmeric is a very potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs without the side effects and when combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and even stop the growth of existing cancer.
Vegetables
2) Vegetables. Some of the more highly anti-inflammatory veggies are brussels sprouts, broccoli, beet greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, green chili peppers, and spinach. Other good choices include carrots, green snap beans, green leaf lettuce, asparagus, cauliflower and sweet green peppers.
Fruits
3) Fruits. Raw oranges (not store-bought juice), raw papaya, raw avocado (especially California variety), tomatoes (yes they are a fruit), pink and red grapefruit, strawberries (raw), raspberries, blueberries, huckleberries, apricots (raw), cantaloupe (raw). Most other fruits believe it or not have inflammatory properties. Avocado is rich in fat (avoid). The fats found in avocado may be healthy for most people but for those with an inflamed pancreas they are not so good. So …
Fruits are excellent even though they are mostly inflammatory in nature. The reason they are good is because they contain HUGE amounts of phytonutrients (flavonoids) that fight inflammation. This fact makes it difficult to understand how fruits can be considered inflammatory foods. This is a case where the “pros” outweigh the “cons.” Fresh fruit is good. Avoid the “oily” fruits such as avocado and coconut and you should be fine.
Nuts and Seeds
4) Nuts and Seeds. Almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachio, hickory, brazil, hazel and macadamia nuts offer excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Flax Seed is strongly anti-inflammatory and has the added benefit of being a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. The only problem with nuts and seeds (sunflower, flax), even though they are highly anti-inflammatory, is they are full of fat. It may be healthy fat but fat is fat when it comes to an inflamed pancreas so tread very cautiously. Caraway, yellow mustard, dill, cumin and celery seeds also offer some anti-inflammatory properties.
Fish
5) Fish. Wild salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout are the most anti-inflammatory and also have the highest amount of beneficial fish oil. Fish oil is still oil and oil is fat. Until you are healed up nicely you may want to avoid “oily” fish like those I just mentioned and …
Stick to white meat fish such as perch, bass, red snapper, tilapia, crappie etc. The white meat fish have plenty of nutrients and protein but not nearly as much oil/fat.
I’m sure there are other somewhat safe foods for an inflamed pancreas, in the veggie and fruit categories, but those are some of the better ones.
If you haven’t done so already what you really need to do as well is to start a journal. Your own food diary. So that you know what you can and can’t eat. There is a right way and a wrong way to do your food diary so before you simply start eating and writing learn more here.
Coming off an AP attack and two weeks of liquids (H2O, Vitamin Water Zero, organic veggie juice) only. Able to tolerate brown rice and egg whites without incident. Any thoughts re. reintroducing oatmeal or baked potatoes?
Also, is Cream of Wheat on the panc diet “safe” list?
Thanks
oatmeal and baked potato should be just fine as long as the oatmeal does NOT have milk or cream or butter on it. Use molasses, instead of sugar, to sweeten your oatmeal if you like molasses because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals. The baked potato should be fine as long as it is just the potato. No butter, margarine, sour cream or mystery fat/oil. Just salt, pepper and you should be fine. By the way, eat the skins. That is where most of the nutrients are in an average potato. Cream of wheat (read label to be sure it does NOT contain milk solids) should be ok as well. Hope you feel better soon. Good luck 🙂
Hi Health Guy,
Need your opinion on Almond Milk. I have found one that’s organic and only 2 grams of fat per cup. There are no other vegetable oils added to the ingredients list. Do you think it might be okay or definitely stay away ?
Stacey ?
Hi Stacey – I’ve never tried it. I’ve stayed away from it. 🙂
I have almond milk and can hardly eat anything. I can tolerate it well.
what about honey due melon?
Hi nance – honey due/doo whatever is fine. all mellon is fine. all fruits are fine (except avocado, coconut). all veggies are fine. All legumes (beans, peas, lentils), the only exception is peanuts and soybeans.
Thank you Healthy guy, this is good to know. I love your site, . And Now I know not to vary from it, I made the mistake yesterday by having a couple Gluten free rice crackers, boy am I paying for this.. I am sso thankful for your help. 🙂
Hi Nance glad you like the site and you are welcome 🙂
Is this site about pancreas problems?
Yes
I was wondering, if this food chart of things to eat and to not eat, is this going to go on for the rest of my life?
or just when flair ups occur..
Hi nance foster – IF you have been diagnosed with CP (chronic pancreatitis) it’s a life-long deal. The whole point of it is to eliminate flair ups or worse.
I was wondering about rice, eather white or brown, and rice hot cereal, what would you say will this be somethingthat we could eat or a no no.. thank you gain for your help
Nance – rice is fine. Just make sure you don’t put bad stuff on it (butter, margarine, etc)
Oh, this is great to know thank you so much..
You are welcome Nance 🙂
Hi! Just had labs done and have slightly elevated amalyse levels. Waiting still for ultrasound results. I hve been eating a lowfat diet but do have a cup of coffee in the morning otherwise I get a headache. Is this working against me at this point?
Hi Melissa – coffee is fine.
Hello helthy guy!, thanks for replying to my email,
All your info is very helpful, thanks for that.,
Are protin shakes safe?, ensure,boost and all those s as well as protin powder?
Thanks
Hi Frank – you’re welcome. Some people tolerate protein shakes and some do not. The only ensure that is fairly safe is ensure clear. All the others contain oil. I looked at boost but I do not recall whether there was an oil-free boost or not. Read all labels. Avoid oil because all oil is pure fat.
Hello Health Guy,
Thank you so much for your helpful health informations! Can having inflammed pancrea cause a person to lose weight? Today I think I have another pancrea attack. I had been vomitting a few times after consumming curry during the weekend. I will go get the grape seed extract tomorrow. I have aleady lost about 20lb. I am under weight now and do not want to lose any more weight. At time, my heart beats very fast. Have seen doctor but he could not find what wrong with me. Can changing my diet into juicing help me gain back my weight? It is worrying situation as I am feeling weak. I need HELP!!!
Ash
Hi Ash – yes an inflamed pancreas can cause weight loss. I’m guessing you have not been diagnosed with any specific condition since you said “Have seen doctor but he could not find what wrong with me.” Keep seeking a diagnosis, otherwise you are simply guessing and self treating which isn’t a good thing. IF you haven’t done so an ER trip, when you are ill, would be the best course of action. I wish I could be more help.
Are mashed bananas OK also potatoes white with the red skin I’m going to have to throw out over $200 of food I had IBS now I have this. I am sure it is from too much candy and fudge. I will eat Landis and plum tomatoes smile thank you Arlene
Hi Arlene – Mashed or whole bananas are fine. When they turn brown it means the sugar is turning to alcohol so avoid over-ripe bananas. Most vegetables and fruits are fine some exceptions are avocado, coconut, soybeans. Potatoes are fine (red, white, gold, russet, sweet/yams etc). Don’t throw out the food give it to someone who might need it. 🙂
Hi, came across your site as have been doing some research for symptoms i have been experiencing for several months. I am still in the process of awaiting more med tests to determine if it is pancreatitis as the symptoms fit (with weight loss, pain and inflammation and in area of pancreas after eating and also problems revolving elimination of wastes.) Decided in the meantime to try some modifications in diet (adapting low fat, no alcohol) and seeing how others are approaching their issues. Your site is a great resource.
My blood tests have consistently shown high amalyse levels. I have seen a gastroenterologist who felt I needed no treatment for pancreatitis because I have no other symptoms. My general practitioner recommended that I follow a non-processed food diet and include Braggs apple cider vinegar. I mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 teaspoon of organic buckwheat blossom honey and hot water. I take this every morning on an empty stomach. I limit myself to greens, sweet potatoes, chicken, fish, eggwhites, Ezekiek bread, cherries, blueberries, lentils, blackbeans, 1 cup of plain organic yogurt, tomatoes, garlic, onions,broccoli., spinach. Yet, my levels increase. I am going to another specialist for a second opinion.
Is there anything I can do regarding my diet to get that reading down?
Hi Barbara – Serum amylase is of 2 main types: (1) P-type amylase from the pancreas, and (2) S-type amylase from the salivary glands. Even though it is true that amylase elevates when the pancreas is inflamed amylase elevation doesn’t mean your pancreas is inflamed because … there are other conditions that cause increased elevations of P-Amylase. Intestinal disease, liver disease and renal failure can cause elevations of P-Amylase. So can gallstones and other conditions. What I am saying is an elevation of amylase does not necessarily point to pancreas inflammation, yet, it can. However, with NO other symptoms I’d be looking elsewhere (other conditions) for answers. Pancreatitis causes symptoms, often so severe they can’t be missed. I’m sorry, I know that isn’t what you were looking for in an answer, but, finding out the reason for the elevation of amylase should be a priority.
Thank you very much for your prompt response. I intend to pursue the cause of the elevation of amylase.
You’re welcome 🙂
Is it ok to eat yogart
Hi Arthur – no fat or low fat yogurt may work for you. I’d go with no fat to see if you tolerate it.
Is cream of celery soup with onion and garlic good for a Bloated stomach ., and for someone who has had pancreatitis
Hi Mary – cream is full of fat so I’d have to say no. Celery, onion and garlic are great but cream isn’t.
Can you have mustard?
Hi Amy … Yes I eat mustard all the time. I also use it and vinegar to make dips and dressings for veggies and salads. Honey mustard and vinegar, nothing else.
Hi! Hope your still answering questions. ? I had COVID back at the end of Sept and started experiencing yellow poop. The yellow poop stayed after COVID left and so my doctor ran some tests and my lipase elevated to 180 at the highest and my amylase stayed normal. I didn’t have any of the normal pancreatitis symptoms but can’t figure out why the lipase was slightly elevated. Even the Cat scan showed no inflammation. Do you know what else could cause lipase to elevate? I also came down with gastritis. But now I have a fear of eating cause of the “what ifs” with the pancreas.
Hi Rebecca … I am sorry to here you aren’t well. There are a number of digestive issues that can raise lipase other than pancreas inflammation yet both of the possibilities I am going to suggest you have checked can also cause pancreatitis. One is gallbladder issues. The other is Celiac Disease. The increases in lipase from both are usually not alarming and also usually missed unless you manifest with pancreas inflammation. And even then many doctors don’t understand what they are seeing via blood work etc.