🩺 Pancreatitis in India: Diet Matters
Pancreatitis = inflammation of the pancreas 🔥, affecting digestion 🍽️ + blood sugar 🩸.
In India 🇮🇳, where diets are rich in 🌶️ spices, 🫓 fried foods, and 🧈 oils, careful diet adjustments are critical.
This guide ✅ is based on ICMR + AGA recommendations and focuses on:
🥗 Low-fat, easy-to-digest meals
🍲 Small, frequent portions
🚫 Avoiding alcohol + irritants
⚠️ Reminder: This is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your 👨⚕️ doctor or 👩⚕️ dietitian.
❓ Why Diet Matters in Pancreatitis
The pancreas produces enzymes for digestion 🍽️ and insulin for sugar 🩸.
During pancreatitis, these enzymes damage the pancreas itself 💢.
✅ A low-fat diet (≤30–50g/day) reduces stress and aids healing.
In India:
❌ Avoid ghee-heavy curries 🥘
✅ Switch to steamed/boiled meals 🍲
⚠️ Introduce fiber slowly to avoid gas 💨
🚫 Alcohol is strictly off-limits 🍷❌
🥗 What to Eat: Pancreatitis-Friendly Indian Foods
🌾 Grains & Cereals
✅ Brown rice, oats, ragi, jowar, bajra.
🍚 Examples: Ragi porridge, dal khichdi (minimal ghee), steamed idli.
💡 Soak grains overnight = easier digestion.
❌ Avoid refined maida & too much white rice.
🥦 Vegetables
✅ Bottle gourd (lauki), ridge gourd (turai), pumpkin, carrot, spinach, zucchini.
🥘 Prep: Steam/boil, add light spices (cumin, turmeric).
🍲 Examples: Lauki soup, carrot stir-fry, palak paneer (low-fat).
⚠️ Avoid raw salads during flares.
🍎 Fruits
✅ Papaya, banana, pear, apple (peeled), watermelon.
🍹 Examples: Banana smoothie (low-fat yogurt), papaya salad, coconut water.
⚠️ Limit to 1–2 servings/day.
❌ Avoid citrus if acidic.
🍗 Proteins
✅ Moong dal, toor dal, low-fat paneer, egg whites, grilled fish (rohu).
🍲 Examples: Moong dal soup, chicken tikka (skinless, no oil), tofu stir-fry.
❌ Avoid red meat & full-fat dairy.
🎯 Aim: 60–80g protein/day.
☕ Beverages & Herbs
✅ 2–3L water 💧, herbal teas 🍵, buttermilk (chaas).
🌿 Add turmeric 🟡, coriander 🌱, fennel 🌿 for soothing flavor.
❌ Avoid coffee, strong tea, alcohol.
🚫 What to Avoid (Strict No List)
🧈 High-fat: ghee, butter, fried snacks (samosa, pakora), heavy curries.
🌶️ Spicy: chilli powder, garam masala, pickles, chaat.
🍟 Processed/junk: chips, biscuits, fast food, soda.
🍷 Alcohol + caffeine = pancreas enemies ❌.
🌾 High fiber in flare-ups: raw veggies, guava, heavy grains.
🥩 Full-fat milk, red meat, organ meats.
🍮 Oily sweets: mithai, halwa, creamy kheer.
💡 Tip: Read labels carefully 📑. Keep fat ≤20–30g/day.
📅 Sample 7-Day Indian Diet Plan (1200–1500 kcal)
🥬 Day 1 (Veg)
🍳 Breakfast: Ragi porridge + skim milk + banana
☀️ Mid-Morning: Herbal tea + papaya
🍲 Lunch: Moong dal khichdi + steamed lauki
🍶 Evening: Low-fat yogurt
🌙 Dinner: Roti + spinach soup
🐟 Day 2 (Non-Veg)
🍳 Breakfast: Egg white omelet + pear
☀️ Mid-Morning: Coconut water
🍲 Lunch: Grilled fish (rohu) + brown rice + carrot
🍶 Evening: Chaas
🌙 Dinner: Toor dal soup + idli
Day 3
Repeat Day 1 + turmeric water 🌿
🥕 Day 4 (Veg)
🍳 Breakfast: Oats upma (no oil)
🍲 Lunch: Bajra khichdi + pumpkin
🌙 Dinner: Low-fat paneer bhurji + roti
🐓 Day 5 (Non-Veg)
🍳 Breakfast: Boiled chicken salad (low-fat)
🍲 Lunch: Lentil soup + steamed rice
🌙 Dinner: Tofu stir-fry + veggies
🍌 Day 6
Focus on fruits 🍓 + lauki soup 🥣 + light dal
🥣 Day 7
Clear soups + fruits 🍉 + minimal solids
💧 Hydrate: 8–10 glasses/day
📝 Track symptoms & adjust
🌟 Tips for Long-Term Success
🍳 Meal Prep: Use steamers, air fryers.
💊 Supplements: Digestive enzymes, B12 if prescribed.
🧘 Lifestyle: Yoga, walking = stress relief.
📱 Monitoring: Use MyFitnessPal for fat tracking.
🚑 Seek Help: If pain worsens or weight loss continues.
✅ Adopting this plan = fewer hospital visits 🏥 + better quality of life 🌈.
Stay consistent, stay informed, and stay connected ❤️.