Diet and Well Being

 

A Sharing and Education Group
for People with Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis and Your Diet

Your diet should contain 30g fat per day. Your doctor may advise you to take MCT oil (to prevent fat malabsorption).

Here are some tips on how to read food labels and count fat grams:

  • Look at the total number of fat grams on the nutrition label to determine how much fat you will be eating.

  • Be careful: Don't forget to look at the portion size per serving.  The number of fat grams listed on the label, might only be for a very small amount of food.

  • Learn the different food label claims. Read the FDA Specifications for Health Claims and Descriptive Terms below.

  • Use low-fat or fat free products, and count the total fat grams that you eat. Low-fat and fat free products will help you achieve a 30g fat diet. On a 30g fat diet, you should consume no more than 4oz of lean meat per day. (4oz of lean has 12 g of fat. This would leave 18g of fat from other foods like breads, grains etc.) (30g-12g =18g)
  • Don't forget! The regular foods you eat (grains, breads, meat) in your diet will add up to 30g of fat easily. For example, 1 slice of bread has about 1-2g fat.  So, you probably will not have any room for the pure fat exchanges listed below.


Common Myths

  • You don't need fat in your diet
  • Fat free foods are low in calories
  • Vitamins give you energy
  • You need extra vitamins during emotional stress


5 Grams Fat Exchanges (one serving)

1 tsp. oil 1 Tbsp red-fat mayonnaise
1 Tbsp regular salad dressing    2 Tbsp chitterlings, boiled
2 Tbsp red-fat salad dressing   2 Tbsp coconut, sweetened, shredded
1 tsp. margarine: stick, tub, squeeze 1 Tbsp cream cheese: regular  
Butter:
    1 tsp. stick     
    1 tsp. whipped 
    2 tsp. red-fat		 2 Tbsp cream cheese: reduced fat
1 tsp. shortening or lard
2 Tbsp sour cream: regular
3 Tbsp reduced fat sour cream
1 tsp. mayonnaise       Olives: 8 large black
           10 green stuffed
1 Tbsp red-fat mayonnaise
1 Tbsp regular salad dressing 2 tsp. peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
2 Tbsp red-fat salad dressing 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Nuts:     
     6 almonds               10 peanuts
     4 pecan halves         6 mixed nuts		 1 Tbsp pumpkin or sunflower seeds


FDA Specifications for Health
Claims and Descriptive Terms

The FDA also provides guidelines about the claims and descriptions manufacturers may use to promote their products:

Claim Requirements that must be met before using the claim
Fat-Free Less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving, with no added fat or oil
Low fat 3 grams or less of fat per serving
Less fat 25% or less fat than the comparison food
Saturated Fat Free Less than 0.5 grams of saturated fat and 0.5 grams of trans-fatty acids per serving
Cholesterol-Free Less than 2 mg cholesterol per serving, and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
Low Cholesterol 20 mg or less cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
Reduced Calorie At least 25% fewer calories per serving than the comparison food
Low Calorie 40 calories or less per serving
Extra Lean Less than 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
Lean Less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 g of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
Light (fat) 50% or less of the fat than in the comparison food (ex: 50% less fat than our regular cheese)
Light (calories) 1/3 fewer calories than the comparison food
High-Fiber 5 grams or more fiber per serving
Sugar-Free Less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving
Sodium-Free or Salt-Free Less than 5 mg of sodium per serving
Low Sodium 140 mg or less per serving
Very Low Sodium 35 mg or less per serving
Healthy A food low in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and contains at least 10% of the Daily Values for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein or fiber.
"High," "Rich in" or "Excellent Source" 20% or more of the Daily Value for a given nutrient per serving
"Less," "Fewer" or
"Reduced"		 At least 25% less of a given nutrient or calories than the comparison food
"Low," "Little," "Few," or "Low Source of" An amount that would allow frequent consumption of the food without exceeding the Daily Value for the nutrient – but can only make the claim as it applies to all similar foods
"Good Source Of," "More," or "Added" The food provides 10% more of the Daily Value for a given nutrient than the comparison food