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Milk for pancreatitis: goat milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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The diet of most people contains some type of dairy products. There are many such products, and they are quite diverse - they contain not only valuable protein, but also calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. When there are health problems, some people ask themselves: what changes should be made to the diet, and what should be abandoned? For example, dairy products are often included in the menu of various diets, but is milk allowed or not for pancreatitis? And if so, which one, and in what quantities? Will there be a negative reaction from the inflamed organ?

Is milk allowed if you have pancreatitis?

About 85-90% of milk is water. The remaining 10-15% are fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as vitamins and minerals. The percentage of these components varies, depending on many factors.

With increased acidity and heartburn, many experts advise drinking fresh warm milk, and kefir and yogurt are useful for normal bowel function. And what do doctors say about drinking milk with pancreatitis?

Due to the high content of casein, a complex milk protein, milk is poorly and slowly digested. Moreover, the older the body, the worse it digests such protein. In infants, the digestion process is better due to the presence of a special enzyme, proteinase. But as they grow older, this enzyme stops being produced, and absorption becomes more difficult. Thus, in people suffering from pancreatitis, when drinking fresh milk, the load on the pancreas increases several times - and this must be taken into account before pouring yourself a glass of this product.

Any digestive tract disease is a reason to carefully review your diet. As for pancreatitis, the nature of the diet will largely depend on the stage of the disease and the degree of damage to the gland.

Indications

One of the first signs of inflammation in the pancreas is increasing pain in the hypochondrium. Depending on which part of the gland is affected, the pain may be felt on the right or left. This symptom is due to the fact that enzymes that should be involved in digesting food begin to digest the walls of the organ, causing the development of an inflammatory process.

Other characteristic signs may include:

  • unpleasant belching;
  • periodic nausea;
  • instability of stool.

With any type of this disease, it is necessary to follow a gentle diet. Not every patient is shown milk for pancreatitis: for example, if you have an intolerance to dairy products, are over 30 years old, or during an exacerbation of the disease, it is better to exclude this product from your diet. In other situations, a complete rejection of the product is not necessary, but it is still necessary to observe the measure: one or two glasses of fresh milk per day is quite enough for a person to feel normal.

Milk for chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is not a contraindication to drinking milk. However, it can be drunk mainly in the remission stage, but not in the first days of exacerbation of the disease. Such milk should not be fatty, so it is diluted with boiled water, or a product with a fat content of 1% is bought in the store.

The daily menu of a person suffering from chronic pancreatitis may include diluted milk porridge, omelette with milk, milk jelly or jelly.

Thus, milk can be present in the patient's diet, but only in a low-fat version, and it is better not as an independent product, but as part of other dishes. The optimal daily volume of milk for chronic pancreatitis is 150 ml, excluding other dairy products. The diet can be supplemented with fresh low-fat cottage cheese, a small amount of hard cheese.

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Milk for acute pancreatitis

Milk can be introduced into the diet for pancreatitis only after three days from the onset of acute symptoms of the disease (later, but not earlier). Of course, it is not permissible to drink whole milk in cups right away. Liquid milk porridges (milk diluted in half with water) or milk soups are allowed. After a few more days, you can diversify the menu a little by trying to cook a steamed omelet with milk. And only after 10-14 days from the onset of the disease is it allowed to gradually consume low-fat milk as part of other dishes. Again, whole fresh product can be drunk only after 1.5-2 months.

Of course, the above indicators can be adjusted for a specific patient, because pancreatitis can proceed in different ways. With normal tolerance of dairy products, some patients can drink low-fat products without problems already 10-14 days after the first manifestations of the disease.

Milk for exacerbation of pancreatitis

During an exacerbation of a chronic inflammatory process in the pancreas, the attitude towards milk should be the same as during acute pancreatitis: that is, in the first 3-4 days it is better not to think about milk (in this period it is generally better to practically starve in order to give the gland a chance to rest). Then it is permissible to consume diluted milk porridges, light steamed omelets, kissels, but only in small quantities. The load on the pancreas should be increased gradually so as not to provoke a new aggravation of the process.

If no negative symptoms occur as the load increases, then milk diluted in half with water can be gradually introduced into the diet. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to cause harm.

After about 2-3 weeks, you are allowed to expand your diet - mainly through fermented milk products. Milk should be low-fat, optimally 1% fat.

Benefits

Milk is considered one of the most desirable products that should be present in the diet of patients with digestive system diseases. It softens the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, envelops, normalizes high acidity, and relieves heartburn. However, dairy products should be consumed wisely when treating pancreatitis - even medications can cause harm if taken in the wrong dosage.

A fresh product is a combination of almost all the necessary water- and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as microelements - copper, cobalt, zinc, bromine, manganese, sulfur, aluminum, fluorine, titanium, vanadium, silver, etc.

Milk also contains nicotinic acid, biotin, folic and pantothenic acids. Specific enzymes also play a significant role - in particular, hydrolyzing enzymes (represented by lipase, phosphatase, galactase and lactase), as well as oxidation-reduction enzymes.

In a calm period - that is, in the remission stage of pancreatitis, doctors allow the use of dairy products. The enveloping effect of milk will be beneficial for the restoration of irritated tissues, since the production of the main irritating enzymes will be suppressed. However, it is necessary to make adjustments to the diet wisely - again, so as not to harm.

What is the correct way to drink milk when you have pancreatitis?

General principles of milk consumption during pancreatitis can be described as follows:

  1. During periods of acute manifestations of the disease, do not drink milk!
  2. Add a little of the product to porridge, jelly or omelettes, starting from the third or fourth day from the onset of exacerbation.
  3. The optimal fat content of the product is 1%, the maximum is 2.5%. If the percentage is higher, then dilute with boiled water in a ratio of 50:50.
  4. After 2-3 weeks, we expand the diet by adding other dairy products, but we try not to drink whole milk. We gradually lift the ban a few weeks after the acute period ends.
  5. Patients with pancreatitis should not drink full-fat milk. The product should be boiled and diluted with water.
  6. If possible, choose goat's milk - it is more useful and is better absorbed by the human body, without overloading the pancreas.

Goat milk for pancreatitis

There is one unique product that is especially recommended for use with pancreatitis - goat milk. It almost never causes allergies, has a beneficial effect on digestive processes in general. And, in addition, it contains a special enzyme - lysozyme, which stimulates recovery processes in the pancreas. As a result, in a short period of time, you can easily get rid of heartburn, unpleasant belching, increased gas formation.

However, this drink also has its limitations: you can drink no more than a liter per day. Otherwise, some unpleasant sensations may appear in the form of stool disorders.

In case of pancreatitis, goat product is drunk boiled, and can also be easily added to various dishes - soups, casseroles, mousses, etc. But during an exacerbation, you should take a break of 3-4 days and not consume any dairy products.

Coffee with milk for pancreatitis

Coffee is not a desirable drink for pancreatitis at all - especially strong and instant coffee, and especially on an empty stomach. If you absolutely cannot do without coffee, then you should follow these rules when drinking it:

  • It is strictly forbidden to drink the beverage during an exacerbation of pancreatitis;
  • starting from the fourth day after the acute symptoms, it is permissible to drink a little weak brewed (natural) coffee, diluted half and half with milk;
  • It is strictly forbidden to drink the drink on an empty stomach if you have pancreatitis; it is better to do this half an hour after eating.

Experts assure that if the patient does not experience pain or discomfort after drinking such a drink, then one can allow oneself 1-2 cups a day, but no more.

If you have to choose between adding cream or milk to your coffee, you should only choose the latter. Cream puts a lot of strain on the pancreas, which can further exacerbate the disease.

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Milk porridge for pancreatitis

The benefits of porridges for pancreatitis are undeniable: cereals contain fiber and slow carbohydrates, they are very filling and are perfectly absorbed in the digestive system. It is not for nothing that nutritionists advise people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases to start their day with milk porridge.

The low calorie content of such dishes allows them to be used in dietary nutrition, and fiber improves intestinal motor function, thereby preventing the occurrence of increased gas formation and stool disorders.

In the first period after an exacerbation, porridge is cooked in water, without sweeteners and salt: the cereal should be completely boiled and have a thin mucous structure. Later, up to 50% milk can be added to the dish. But butter is added no earlier than a few weeks after the end of the acute period.

During the period of remission, porridge can be combined with berries, fruits, and a small amount of raisins.

Oatmeal and rice, as well as buckwheat, are considered the most preferable for pancreatitis. Other cereals are somewhat more difficult to digest.

Milk with propolis for pancreatitis

Propolis in milk is successfully used to treat many ailments, but it is especially popular for treating acute respiratory viral infections, coughs and pancreatitis. However, before being treated in this way, it is necessary to make sure that there is no allergy to bee products - that is, if the patient is allergic to honey, then propolis is, unfortunately, contraindicated for him.

Propolis tincture with milk for pancreatitis helps to normalize enzyme production processes, especially if the disease is caused by drinking alcohol or microbial infections. To cure pancreatitis, you should buy 10% propolis tincture at the pharmacy. This drug is inexpensive and always available for sale. Treatment is as follows:

  • dissolve 20 drops of tincture in 100 ml of low-fat milk (you can use either cow's or goat's milk);
  • Use the remedy three times a day half an hour before meals.

The duration of treatment is until the pancreas is completely normalized.

Condensed milk for pancreatitis

No medical specialist approves of the use of "condensed milk" in case of pancreatitis. This milk is concentrated, contains a huge amount of sugar and fat (standard 8.5%). Such concentrations pose a considerable danger to the normal functioning of the pancreas, causing failures in enzymatic activity. "Condensed milk" is a food product that is difficult for the body to digest.

In addition, such a dairy product is distinguished by a large number of counterfeits that can harm health even with normal digestive system function. It is almost impossible to independently identify a fake from a normal product - laboratory tests are necessary. Therefore, doctors insist: it is better to completely refuse "condensed milk" with pancreatitis.

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Tea with milk for pancreatitis

Tea with milk is a perfectly acceptable drink for pancreatitis, which is drunk after the main acute symptoms of the disease have been relieved. It is easily digested, does not weigh down the stomach, and has a positive effect on the digestive system. This tea is especially recommended during the recovery period after pancreatitis. The brew should be weak, and the milk should be low-fat: only in this case can you get the maximum benefit. Any tea can be used: green, black, and even white. The drink is prepared as usual, and the milk is first boiled, after which it is added to the cup. The resulting remedy has virtually no contraindications, but has a lot of unconditional advantages: it warms, quenches thirst, improves mood, strengthens the immune system, invigorates and soothes at the same time, and gives strength. But you should not drink it on an empty stomach: it is optimal to drink it after a meal, about half an hour later.

Soy milk for pancreatitis

Soy milk has become very popular in recent years, not only among vegetarians, but also among people who simply lead a healthy lifestyle. This drink is made from soaked soybeans, after which it is brought to the required consistency and enriched with additional useful substances - vitamins and microelements. The main purpose of the drink is to satisfy the culinary needs of people suffering from lactose intolerance.

Soy is rich in proteins and amino acids. At the same time, the protein component has much in common with the animal analogue, but is absorbed much easier. Therefore, specialists can recommend such a product not only to people with pancreatitis, but also to all elderly patients with problems with the digestive system.

An additional “bonus” that is present in the soy drink is lecithin – this substance is capable of inhibiting the formation of cholesterol plaques, therefore reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Baked milk for pancreatitis

Baked milk has a composition almost identical to that of the regular whole product. However, it contains fewer vitamins – they are lost due to long-term heat treatment. In addition, when moisture evaporates, its fat content increases: the consistency becomes thicker, richer and more nutritious.

At the dairy plant, the product is first pasteurized, then kept in sealed containers at 90-95°C for three hours, with constant stirring. Then it is cooled in a special cooling device and poured into containers.

However, the melted analogue is more easily digested, so its use is often recommended for chronic diseases of the digestive tract and diabetes.

Outside the acute stage, doctors advise drinking no more than 1-2 cups of such milk per day.

Dry milk for pancreatitis

The use of dry milk for pancreatitis is undesirable, first of all, because this product is often produced without observing the relevant technical standards. Thus, some manufacturers supplement the composition not with milk fat, but with cheaper deodorized low-quality vegetable fats. The presence of such a discrepancy can only be determined by conducting laboratory tests.

Also, the dry analogue may contain various E-additives that provide the necessary looseness, aroma and color of the powder.

Taking into account all of the above, experts cannot recommend this product for use in dietary nutrition for people suffering from pancreatitis.

Oat milk for pancreatitis

Oatmeal gives the drink of the same name all the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals it contains. The properties of such a drink are varied:

  • diuretic and choleretic action;
  • relief from cough;
  • acceleration of metabolism;
  • elimination of constipation, treatment of gastritis;
  • lowering blood cholesterol, strengthening the heart and blood vessels;
  • elimination of edema;
  • improving sleep, normalizing the functioning of the nervous system.

Nutritionists claim that oatmeal helps to recover from pancreatitis and speeds up recovery. Prepare a healthy drink like this:

  • pour 160 g of oatmeal with 1500 ml of warm water;
  • stand for about 20 minutes;
  • beat the mixture in a blender and filter through a cheesecloth;
  • Store in the refrigerator for no more than three days.

The resulting remedy can be drunk throughout the day whenever you want - this will only bring benefits to your health.

Coconut milk for pancreatitis

Coconut milk is an artificially created liquid made from the inner layer of a coconut. The composition of such a liquid is quite rich: it includes fatty omega acids, vitamins, macro and microelements, amino acids. The fat content may vary, depending on the proportions when preparing the drink. On average, it is 2%.

If you carefully analyze the chemical composition, you can see that coconut milk is easily digestible, it is low in calories, low in fat and very healthy.

It can be successfully used to improve the condition of the digestive tract - especially with gastric ulcer and cholecystopancreatitis. In addition, the drink helps to normalize blood glucose levels and blood pressure, reduces joint pain, relieves stress and gives energy. This product is an excellent alternative for those people who, for one reason or another, cannot include regular dairy products in their diet.

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Buckwheat with milk for pancreatitis

Buckwheat milk porridge is especially popular when following a diet for pancreatitis: it is a hearty and tasty dish that (if eaten in moderation) will not harm a sick person. To prepare the porridge, you need to take one and a half cups of buckwheat, 3 cups of water, some salt and sugar, and some milk (individually).

  • Buckwheat is sorted and washed, filled with water and brought to a boil, salted, and covered with a lid.
  • cook over low heat until done (about 15 minutes), add milk, bring to a boil again;
  • remove from heat, wrap in a warm scarf and leave to “simmer” for 10-15 minutes.

During the period of pancreatitis remission, a little butter can be added to such a dish. Porridge is consumed in small quantities, several times a day: with this approach, it will bring maximum benefit to the body.

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Sour milk for pancreatitis

Fermented milk products should be included in the diet of a patient with pancreatitis, but only not in the acute period. 7-10 days should pass from the moment of exacerbation. At first, it is permissible to consume only low-fat fermented milk drinks, in volumes not exceeding 50-100 ml per day. Over time, this volume can be increased to one cup per day.

It is preferable to drink sour milk and kefir shortly before bedtime - about an hour before. This will allow you to get the maximum benefit from the drink, and at the same time not overload the pancreas. And calcium is absorbed much better at night.

You should not drink yogurt if it is too sour or old: it is best to consume the drink within 24 hours after it has undergone fermentation.

You shouldn't drink more than one cup of fermented milk product per day. This can lead to irritation of the digestive organs, stimulation of fermentation in the intestines, increased gas formation and deterioration of health.

Parsley with milk for pancreatitis

Parsley is often used as a folk remedy for pancreatitis. A remedy based on the rhizome of this plant and cow's milk is especially popular.

To prepare the potion, 500 g of crushed root is poured into a thermos with the same amount of milk and simmered overnight. The resulting medicine is drunk during the next day, one tablespoon every hour.

This recipe is recommended for use in acute pancreatitis. Chronic disease can also be cured with parsley, but it will take much more time.

Contraindications

You should not drink milk for pancreatitis in the following cases:

  • in case of allergy or intolerance to dairy products;
  • in the acute period of the disease (the first 3-4 days);
  • if the milk is raw and fatty;
  • if after its use any unpleasant symptoms from the digestive organs are observed.

If you have pancreatitis, you should not consume condensed milk, ice cream, processed and smoked cheese, store-bought milk with dyes, flavors and other artificial additives.

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Possible risks

Dairy products have high nutritional and energy value. They contain several types of proteins, as well as fats and lactose, a unique substance that participates in the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In addition, such products are rich in valuable microelements and vitamins.

However, in the acute period of the disease, it is undesirable to drink milk: the load on the pancreas increases, since milk protein is quite difficult for the digestive system to digest. If you neglect the diet and continue to consume all prohibited products, including dairy products, this can lead to a worsening of the disease and the development of complications.

Possible complications may include the following:

  • chronicity of acute pancreatitis;
  • decreased insulin production, development of diabetes;
  • diseases of other organs of the digestive system (cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, etc.).

In the absence of treatment, abscesses may form and bleeding may occur due to non-compliance with the basic principles of dietary nutrition. To prevent such problems, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions and follow a special diet for pancreatitis.

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Reviews

According to people who have suffered from pancreatitis at various times, it is better to consume any products, including dairy products, only after consulting with your doctor. Only he, being aware of the full picture of the disease, has the opportunity to get acquainted with the diagnostic results and provide individual recommendations regarding nutrition. Self-medication of any kind, as well as making your own adjustments to nutrition, is not recommended.

Before buying dairy products, it is important to make sure they are fresh and natural. The affected pancreas reacts to an increased degree to the unhealthy composition of products, so all food consumed by a sick person should be of the highest quality.

Milk is allowed to be consumed during pancreatitis outside the period of exacerbation, or in the subacute period as an addition to other dishes. Fresh boiled product is drunk little by little, diluted with water or sometimes with weak tea.

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