Acute Pancreatitis and Diet Information

Patient information leaflets
NHS Borders

NHS Borders 

Acute Dieticians
NHS Borders
Telephone: 01896 826450

"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."

 

The Pancreas

  • The pancreas is a small gland located behind the stomach
  • The pancreas produces enzymes, which help to breakdown and digest food
  • The pancreas produces hormones such as insulin, which works within the bloodstream to help your body absorb and use nutrients

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.

Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms:

  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Indigestion
  • High temperature
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice)
  • Tenderness or swelling of the abdomen
  • Fast Heartbeat (Tachycardia)

Causes of Acute Pancreatitis

There are several causes but the most common causes are:

  • Gallstones- which can cause a blockage in the bile duct (a channel which carries bile between digestive systems)
  • Excess alcohol which can damage the pancreas

Eating and drinking during a flare up of acute pancreatitis

  • Mild to moderate acute pancreatitis can last 5-7 days with minimal effect on your nutritional status
  • If symptoms continue, you may be at risk of malnutrition as you may not be able to eat or drink enough to meet your increased nutritional requirements
  • You may be advised to have higher energy and protein containing foods
  • It may be suggested that you avoid higher fat containing foods to help with your symptoms- please speak with your dietitian about changes which could be made to your diet

In addition to meals, you may need to include some snacks, for example:

  • Toast/scone with low fat spread, jam, marmalade, honey or lemon curd
  • Meringue with fruit
  • Plain biscuits e.g. rich tea biscuits
  • Add sugar to drinks
  • Tinned fruit in syrup
  • Reduced fat yoghurt or mousse

Eating and drinking following a flare of acute pancreatitis

  • You may be able to introduce foods with moderate amounts of fat as your symptoms improve
  • Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) may be suggested (please see information on PERT below)

Healthy balanced diet at home – avoiding foods which are higher in fat

  • Look at food labels and avoid foods with a red traffic light colour indicating the food is high in fat
  • Consider how you are cooking your food and think about choosing healthier methods such as boiling, steaming, poaching and grilling
  • Consider making meals from scratch and limiting portion sizes of the fats used in cooking such as oils and butter
  • Aim to ensure you are having fruit and vegetables within meals and snacks
  • Ensure there are wholegrains in your diet such as wholemeal bread, pasta and brown rice
  • The Eatwell Guide shows the proportion of different food groups in a balanced diet, and fats are the smallest section
Food group Suitable Low fat options Higher Fat options to avoid
Meat Lean red meat – consider – lower percentage fat mince.
Chicken/turkey (no skin), gammon		 Fried or fatty meats such as bacon, corned beef, sausages, pork pie, Lamb, goose, duck
Fish Tinned fish in brine/water/tomato sauce. White fish such as cod, haddock, plaice Tinned fish in oil, Deep-fried fish in batter or breadcrumbs
Dairy Semi skimmed or skimmed milk, Low fat cheese, yogurt Full cream/whole milk, full fat or creamy yogurts
Eggs Scrambled, boiled, poached Fried and scotch egg
Fruit All fresh, tinned and dried fruit Avocado
Vegetables All vegetables and salad Roasted fried or battered vegetables
Carbohydrates Boiled rice, Pasta, Noodles, jacket/mashed/boiled potatoes, oven chips, flours, most breads and pancakes, crumpets Fried rice or noodles, deep fried chips, waffles, croquettes, crisps, Naan bread, croissants, oily breads such as focaccia, cheese breads or scones
Pulses/Lentils All lentils, beans and pulses Avoid if in creamy sauce
Spreads, fats, oils, dressings Low fat spread, tomato ketchup, barbeque sauce, salsa, tomato based sauces, passata, pickle, soy sauce, instant gravy Butter, cream, lard, ghee, suet, full fat mayonnaise and salad cream, oil dressings, hummus, gravy made from dripping
Puddings Jelly, sorbet, meringue, iced buns, teacake, low fat mousse or yogurts with fruit Ice cream, custard, Cream based puddings such as trifle and gateaux, Cheese cake, doughnuts, scones.
Biscuits and sweets Boiled sweets, jaffa cakes, rich tea biscuits, marshmallows, liquorice Shortbread, chocolate, fudge, cream filled biscuits
Ready meals Choose reduced fat options Ready meals which are higher in fat
Drinks Water, Tea, Coffee, Fruit juice, fizzy juice (low fat options) Drinks containing full fat milk (blue milk), Alcohol

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT)

  • Pancreatic insufficiency can be a symptom associated with chronic pancreatitis. This occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough pancreatic enzymes to digest fat from your diet.

  • If this occurs you may be recommended to take PERT, which are enzymes in tablet form. These can help you digest and absorb nutrients. If you are prescribed PERT, they should be taken with all meals, snacks, and nourishing drinks.

Your healthcare professionals can advise you on the dosages and if you continue to lose weight while using PERT please discuss this with your Healthcare team.

Further information

If you have any dietary concerns regarding the following information, please contact the NHS Borders acute dietitians’ team on:

01896 826450

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2026

Next review date: 31/01/2028

Author(s): Ailsa Gale.

Version: 1

Approved By: Acute dietetic team and consultant surgeon (Mr Berlansky)

Reviewer name(s): Ailsa Gale.