Introduction. In Poland alcohol and gallstones are the main factors for the development of acute pancreatitis, which sometimes can become chronic pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas can cause serious digestive disorders of fat and carbohydrates. Untreated, pancreatitis may cause serious complications and even lead to death.That is why it is important to early diagnose pancreatitis and implement effective treatment. In the development of pancreatitis an important role plays proper diet, compliance with which aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life and prevent complications. Aim. To assess the eating habits of patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis. Material and methods. The study involved 31 people, including 10 women and 21 men at the age of 20 to 57 years who were diagnosed with acute or chronic pancreatitis. Results. In patients with chronic pancreatitis usually associated disease entities were: diabetes, gallstones, lipid disorders and heart disease. In this group of patients 75% of women and 36% men suffered from diabetes. In the group with acute pancreatitis 80% of women and 82% of men used traditional Polish cuisine. Only 20% of women consumed food easily digestible, none of the men did eat easily digestible foods. In the group with acute pancreatitis 18% of men preferred fast food. In people with chronic pancreatitis 100% women and 81.8% of men used traditional Polish cuisine. Conclusions. The majority of patients with acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis are overweight. Diabetes is the most common concomitant disease entity among patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis. Nutritional recommendations regarding easily digestible diet with restriction of fats are respected by about half of the respondents. The dominant culinary technique used by patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis is frying. Most patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis show no willingness to change eating habits and abandon the harmful stimulants (alcohol and cigarettes).

Key words: acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, nutrition.