Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Pancreatitis

Can what I eat help or prevent pancreatitis?

During pancreatitis treatment, your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink for a while. Instead, your doctor may use a feeding tube to give you nutrition. Once you may start eating again, he or she will prescribe a healthy, low-fat eating plan that includes small, frequent meals.

A group of people eating a meal at a table.
You can decrease your risk of pancreatitis by sticking with a low-fat, healthy eating plan.

If you have pancreatitis, drink plenty of fluids and limit caffeine. Health care professionals strongly advise people with pancreatitis not to drink any alcohol, even if your pancreatitis is mild.

Having an eating plan high in fat and calories can lead to high levels of fat in your blood, which raises your risk of pancreatitis. You can lower your chances of getting pancreatitis by sticking with a low-fat, healthy eating plan.

Last Reviewed November 2017
Share this page
Facebook X Email WhatsApp LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest

This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank:
Christopher E. Forsmark, M.D., University of Florida College of Medicine