Diet chart
Pancreatitis diet chart: after an attack and long-term
Diet after pancreatitis depends on the stage. In the first few weeks after an acute attack, small, lighter, lower-fat meals are easier on the pancreas. In chronic pancreatitis, the aim is enough calories and protein; fat is not cut drastically, because enzyme capsules help digest it. In both, alcohol and smoking must stop for good.
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Key goals
- No alcohol, ever, and no smoking
- Small, frequent meals, 5 to 6 a day
- After an attack: lighter, lower-fat meals for a few weeks
- In chronic pancreatitis: enough calories and protein, with enzymes as prescribed
A sample day recovering from an attack
For the first few weeks after leaving hospital, or as your doctor advises.
Pick one option for each meal. Portions are for an average adult; adjust them to your hunger and weight.
VegEggNon-vegWestern
- Water or coconut water; light tea
- A few rusks or a fruit
- Idli, poha, oats or dalia, with low-fat curd
- 2 boiled egg whites with toast
- Papaya, banana or apple
- Chaas
- Rice or roti without ghee, dal, a boiled or lightly cooked vegetable, and curd
- Grilled or steamed fish or chicken, not fried, with rice
- Clear vegetable soup or a small bowl of poha
- Chicken soup
- Khichdi with curd, or roti with dal and lauki
- Steamed fish with rice and vegetables
- Low-fat curd or chaas if hungry
Daily targets recovering from an attack
- Protein
- 1–1.2 g per kg of body weight (about 60–72 g, 60 kg)
- Fibre
- at least 20 g
- Fat
- under 40 g
- Vegetables
- 3 or more katoris
- Fruit
- 2–3 servings
- Water
- 8–10 glasses
- Fried food
- none
- Sugary food and drinks
- at most 1 a day
- Salty food
- at most 1 a day
- 5 or more small meals a day
A sample day long-term (chronic)
For chronic pancreatitis, often with oily stools, weight loss or diabetes.
Pick one option for each meal. Portions are for an average adult; adjust them to your hunger and weight.
VegEggNon-vegWestern
- Tea or milk with a fruit
- Enzyme capsules with every meal and snack, if prescribed
- Paneer paratha or vegetable poha with curd
- 2-egg omelette with a roti and a fruit
- Oats with milk, nuts and banana Western
- A fruit with a small handful of nuts
- Lassi or a milkshake if weight is low
- Roti or rice, dal, paneer or soya, a vegetable and curd, with normal oil
- Chicken or fish curry with rice or roti
- Moong dal chilla, sprouts or poha
- An egg sandwich or chicken soup Western
- Roti with dal, paneer and vegetables
- Fish or chicken with roti and vegetables
- A glass of milk or a bowl of curd if weight is low
Daily targets long-term (chronic)
- Protein
- 1–1.2 g per kg of body weight (about 60–72 g, 60 kg)
- Fibre
- at least 25 g
- Fat
- under 60 g
- Vegetables
- 3 or more katoris
- Fruit
- 2–3 servings
- Water
- 8–10 glasses
- Fried food
- at most 1 a day
- Sugary food and drinks
- none
- Salty food
- at most 1 a day
- 5 or more small meals a day
Choose more
- Small, frequent meals
- Protein: dal, curd, paneer, eggs, fish, chicken
- Boiled, steamed or lightly cooked food after an attack
- Plenty of fluids
- In chronic pancreatitis: enough calories to keep weight up
Cut down
- Alcohol, completely and for good
- Smoking
- Fried food and very large meals
- Sugar, sweets and sweet drinks if triglycerides or blood sugar are high
- Very high-fibre supplements taken with enzyme capsules, which can make them work less well
Good to know
- After a single attack, most people return to a normal, balanced diet once recovered
- In chronic pancreatitis, do not cut fat drastically; take enzyme capsules with the first bites of every meal and snack
- If gallstones caused the attack, removing the gallbladder prevents another
- Oily, floating stools or weight loss mean digestion needs review
If you also have
Diabetes
Diabetes is common in chronic pancreatitis and sugar can swing between high and low. Eat regular meals, avoid sweets and sweet drinks, and check sugar as your doctor advises.
High BP or heart disease
Keep salt low and choose lean protein. High triglycerides can cause pancreatitis, so cholesterol and triglyceride control matter.
Kidney disease
Follow your nephrologist's advice on protein, potassium and fluids; the lower-fat principles after an attack still apply.
Pregnancy
Pancreatitis in pregnancy, often from gallstones or high triglycerides, needs specialist care. Do not start a very low-fat diet on your own; get advice.
Age over 65
Weight loss and weakness are common in older adults with chronic pancreatitis. Keep protein and calories up, and ask about vitamin D and bone health.
Track today's food
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Common questions
What should I eat after pancreatitis?
For the first few weeks: small, lighter meals such as idli, poha, khichdi, dal, curd, steamed vegetables, and fish or chicken cooked without frying. Most people then return to a normal, balanced diet.
Can I ever drink alcohol after pancreatitis?
No. Alcohol can bring on another attack and speeds up permanent damage, even in small amounts.
Should I eat a fat-free diet in chronic pancreatitis?
No. A very low-fat diet causes weight loss and vitamin deficiency. Eat normal amounts of fat with enzyme capsules.
When to see a doctor
Go to an emergency department for sudden severe upper belly pain spreading to the back, with vomiting. See a specialist for oily stools, weight loss or new diabetes after pancreatitis.
Other diet charts
General guidance for adults, not a personal prescription. Food values are estimates for a typical home serving. If you have kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been given a specific diet by your doctor, follow that advice.