There are a variety of benefits when it comes to following nutritional recommendations in COPD.
These effects won’t reverse the condition, but they can help keep it from getting worse.
Weight Control
Weight is complicated when it comes to COPD.
Lucy Lambriex / Getty Images
Obesity is considered a COPD risk factor.
This means that weight control is something you better be serious about.
Strategic diet choices, of course, can help you stay on track.
When you have COPD, a pulmonary infection has a more severe impact on your already impaired lungs.
And COPD itself results in a diminished ability to avoid infections through protective mechanisms like coughing.
Healing From Damage
Recurrent lung damage is the core problem in COPD.
When your body is injured, it needs to heal.
Nutrients like vitamin E and vitamin K help your body repair itself.
Maintaining Energy
COPD leads to low energy.
you gotta consume carbohydrates to fuel yourself.
Iodine, an essential mineral, helps your body make thyroid hormone to regulate your energy metabolism.
Your body also needs adequate vitamin B12 and iron to keep your oxygen-carrying red blood cells healthy.
Avoiding Inflammation
Inflammation plays a major role in COPD.
Duration
A COPD diet is meant to be followed for a lifetime.
Fruit and Vegetables
Fresh or cooked fruits and vegetables are resources for essential vitamins and minerals.
Energy-Rich Carbohydrates
You need a daily supply of energy, most of which comes from carbohydrate calories.
Complex carbohydrates like whole grains can give you lasting energy.
Consuming too many carbohydrate calories can lead to obesity, which may increase your risk of diabetes.
On the other hand, not consuming enough can leave you low in energy and underweight.
Your COPD will also be considered, as it may mean that your body has a higher energy requirement.
Foods like seafood, beef, poultry, pork, dairy, eggs, and beans contain protein.
Fats help you digest your food and make vitamins.
Foods like meat, dairy, eggs, nuts, and oils contain fat.
Fiber
It’s important to include enough fiber in your diet.
These foods are also anti-inflammatory.
Beverages
Unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise, you should drinksix to eight eight-ounce glassesof water daily.
This helps to keep yourmucusthin, making it easier to cough up.
It’s easy to forget to drink, especially if you haven’t been in the habit of hydrating.
If plain water isn’t palatable to you, and try warm or chilledherbal or green tea.
Alcohol can make you tired, especially if you are already chronically low in energy.
Small meals can also help you feel less full or bloated, making it more comfortable to breathe deeply.
Allergies and asthma attacks can cause severe, sudden shortness of breath.
Anything that triggers a bout of breathing problems can be life-threatening for you when you already have COPD.
Common food triggers include dairy products, eggs, nuts, or soybeans.
If you notice that certain foods affect your breathing, it’s important to be vigilant about avoiding them.
Considerations
The basics of a COPD diet are healthy guidelines for everyone.
General Nutrition
Don’t assume that you are vitamin deficient.
Be sure to give yourself ample time to consume your food and liquids carefully.
Shortness of breath can be a problem when eating too.
Pace yourself and stick to foods that are not difficult for you to chew and swallow.
If you are on continuousoxygen therapy, confirm you use it while you eat.
A Word From Verywell
Your diet can have an impact on your COPD.
Berthon BS, Wood LG.Nutrition and respiratory health–feature review.Nutrients.
9:723733. doi:10.2147/COPD.S50111
COPD Foundation.What is an exacerbation or flare-up?
11(6) doi:10.3390/nu11061357
American Lung Association.Nutrition and COPD.
19(2):176-184. doi:10.1111/resp.12229.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 eighth edition.
