Nuts, seeds and dried fruits in pancreatitis

In addition to the main food products, there are many more that are not only related to the need to be satiated, but simply delight us with their flavors, with the help of which simple dishes are brought to exquisiteness. So, oil is made from many nuts and seeds, they are added to salads, pastries, ice cream, and soups are prepared with them. They are very nutritious and healthy. The same is with dried fruits. Which of them can and cannot be used with pancreatitis?

Prunes for pancreatitis

Prunes are very useful for the body. They contain B vitamins, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, vitamin K, a lot of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, are rich in pectins, antioxidants. Eating prunes leads to normalization of metabolism, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, improves skin condition, it is a good remedy for constipation. [ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

At the same time, fiber, a lot of sugar, and malic acid become an obstacle for patients with pancreatitis. Prunes promote the choleretic process, which should not be allowed.

In acute phases, the fruit should be excluded from your menu in its natural form, and only compotes should be prepared. During the calm period, its limited consumption is allowed, taking into account the reaction of the pancreas.

Raisin

Raisins are dried grapes of various varieties. Grapes themselves are strictly prohibited for pancreatitis, because they contain a lot of sugars, glucose, which becomes an additional burden on the diseased organ, [ 4 ] its numerous organic acids stimulate the production of pancreatic juice, hydrochloric acid, bile, fiber it provokes excessive gas formation, causes loose stools, diarrhea.

What happens to it after drying? The concentration of carbohydrates increases by as much as 8 times. During exacerbations, its presence is allowed only in compotes, a little later in jelly, mousses. Stable stabilization of the condition allows with its help to improve the taste of porridges, pastries, various acceptable desserts, use in the preparation of pilaf, meat and fish dishes.

Dried apricots

Dried apricot is rightfully considered a dietary dried fruit. It retains all the vitamins necessary for the production of enzymes: C, PP, E, B1, B2, B5. In addition, it is a storehouse of useful microelements: iron improves the blood formula, increases hemoglobin, potassium and sodium improve water-salt metabolism, pectin cleanses the body of toxins, and the role of magnesium is generally difficult to overestimate, because it takes part in 350 enzymatic reactions. [ 5 ]

The only thing that does not allow uncontrolled consumption of dried apricots with pancreatitis is fiber and 80% sucrose in its composition. Sulfur dioxide, which is used during its heat treatment, can also be harmful. [ 6 ] Therefore, you should limit yourself to 3-4 berries per day, pre-dipped in warm water for 10 minutes and thoroughly washed with hot water.

Flax seeds

In folk medicine recipes, flax seeds are often used to treat diseases of the digestive system. It has received such recognition due to its ability to absorb toxins, have a bactericidal effect on the mucous membrane, and heal the inner surface of the stomach with the help of mucus formed during swelling.

In addition, flax seeds contain soluble fiber, which improves intestinal peristalsis, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, [ 7 ] normalizing fat metabolism, proteins necessary for the functioning of the pancreas. It is a good antioxidant that slows down the aging process, it contains vitamins and valuable minerals. It is recommended for diabetes due to the presence of complex carbohydrates that do not cause a rapid jump in blood glucose. [ 8 ]

It would seem that flax seed contains everything necessary for the treatment of pancreatic pathology, but its pronounced choleretic effect becomes an obstacle to this, especially during attacks, as well as in chronic cases against the background of gallstone disease.

Walnuts

Walnuts contain everything the body needs. These are vitamins A, E, B, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium, copper and other minerals; in terms of easily digestible protein content, they surpass meat, milk, and legumes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 have an invaluable effect on blood vessels and the brain, improving their functions, preventing the formation of cholesterol plaques and the development of atherosclerosis, improving the lipid profile, [ 9 ], [ 10 ] are beneficial for brain health [ 11 ].

On top of all this, walnuts are delicious, have a high energy value and are available all year round.

On the other hand, they have a rough structure, which does not allow them to be eaten without hindrance in case of pancreatic disorders. In acute phases, they are strictly prohibited, since the high fat content and fiber provoke an increased secretion of digestive enzymes and can lead to the development of pancreatic necrosis.

Nuts are included in the diet only a year after the exacerbation during a period of stable remission. It is best to grind them and add them to salads, yogurts, porridges. The quantity should be limited, and the quality high. Peeled packaged, seasoned with spices, salt or sugar are not suitable.

Peanuts for pancreatitis

Peanuts are called groundnuts, but they actually belong to the legume family. They are an annual plant with oval fruits, located two by two in peculiar pods. They are born and develop on the surface, on the stems of bushes, and ripen, having sunk into the ground.

More than half of their composition is fatty oil, it contains many glycerides of various acids (stearic, palmitic, oleic, lanoleic and others). In addition, they contain proteins, globulins, glutenins, vitamins, sugars, amino acids. [ 12 ]

Like all legumes, peanuts, as well as peanut oil, are not suitable for people with a diseased pancreas at all stages of the pathology. One should also not forget about peanut allergies. [ 13 ]

Pine nuts

Although pine nuts are smaller than their counterparts in size, their nutritional value surpasses many. They are famous for their medicinal properties, and herbalists successfully treat many diseases with pine nut oil, including type 2 diabetes, obesity and pancreatitis. [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Its rich composition, consisting of easily digestible plant proteins, vitamin E, more than a dozen amino acids, provides anti-inflammatory, healing, and analgesic effects.

The most effective way to use oil during exacerbations is to use it; your doctor will tell you the dosage, and during stable remission you can eat natural nuts: a handful every day will strengthen the organ, help you recover from the illness, and they also improve the taste of many dishes.

Sunflower seeds for pancreatitis

It is impossible to judge all types of seeds unambiguously. Such popular sunflower seeds, sold in retail chains, are definitely not suitable as a treat for pancreatitis. In fried grains, under the influence of heat treatment, all the usefulness evaporates and only fat remains.

If the sunflower is grown in your own garden, then raw seeds will provide the body with many useful substances found in them. [ 16 ] You should not abuse them, but a small handful eaten after the main meal will not harm and will replace dessert.

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds also have a rich vitamin and mineral composition, in medicine they are used as an anthelmintic, for the treatment of kidneys and urinary tract, [ 17 ] as a choleretic, have a hypoglycemic effect. [ 18 ], [ 19 ] Due to the high content of fats, coarse fiber they cannot be used in acute periods of pancreatitis.

A stable absence of symptoms allows them to be consumed in limited quantities, but not fried, only dried in the oven.

Sesame

Sesame, like other seeds, is a heavy product for a sick pancreas. But since it has many useful properties (lowers stomach acidity, removes toxins, normalizes metabolism, replenishes protein deficiency in the body, strengthens the immune system, prevents tumors, [ 20 ] has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects [ 21 ]), it is included in the diet in a limited way during remission. Fresh sesame seeds can be sprinkled on salads and baked goods.

The grains are also consumed in sprouted form. To do this, they are first soaked in water for several hours, then transferred to a glass jar, covered with a tight lid and placed in a warm place. Sprouts will appear in 2-3 days. A teaspoon per day is enough to strengthen the body and improve its condition.