Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a collection of diseases that cause airflow blockages and interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, such as emphysema, chronic asthma and bronchitis. Common COPD symptoms include chronic cough, fatigue, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, this condition has no cure, but certain factors, such as diet, can impact your symptoms. Therefore, try minimizing or removing these common trigger foods from your COPD diet:
1. Salt
Consuming too much salt makes your body retain more water. This buildup of fluids can act like additional fat around the diaphragm, making it more difficult for people with COPD to breathe. Staying away from salty foods can therefore help reduce your chances of causing harm to your lungs. In fact, the COPD Foundation recommends choosing foods with less than 140 milligrams of sodium. You can achieve this by making most of your food at home and using fresh herbs as an alternative source of flavor.
2. Dairy products
Consuming dairy products, like milk, increases the amount of phlegm and mucus produced in your lungs. Naturally, the body then expels this excess mucus and phlegm by coughing and wheezing, which can be uncomfortable and painful for COPD patients. Other products, like cheese, butter, yogurt, and ice cream, may also cause bloating, which can lead to breathing problems. However, dairy can also be beneficial for your lung health, so be sure to consult your doctor on the best ways to moderately incorporate these products into your COPD diet.
3. Chocolate
You may also have to limit or eliminate your consumption of chocolate, because it is high in caffeine, which may interfere with COPD medications. Check with your medical professional or read the instructions on your medication to know if you should eliminate or reduce your caffeine intake. If so, water is a great alternative to coffee and caffeinated teas—it keeps mucus thin, making it easier to cough up.
4. Fried foods
You may enjoy eating fried foods like fried chicken, French fries, or donuts, but, unfortunately, they can negatively affect your health. These foods have a high fat content, so they take longer to digest. This results in bloating and gas that can make it difficult to breathe. These foods are also associated with weight gain, and extra fat accumulation around the torso can increase pressure on your diaphragm, causing discomfort when breathing.
5. Soda and carbonated beverages
If you love soda and carbonated beverages, you may unfortunately have to eliminate them from your everyday drinks if you suffer from COPD. These products are usually infused with carbon dioxide, which can lead to bloating and belly gas, making breathing harder for people with COPD. Soda also contains high sugar levels, which can cause inflammation that negatively interferes with your breathing. To avoid the potential problems associated with consuming aerated beverages like energy drinks and soda, drink water to allow your body to carry out its proper metabolic activities.
