COPD Diet Chart

COPD Diet Chart – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in today’s world. It is a serious lung disease, that begins as local inflammation in the lungs, but can grow and affect multiple body systems. It is an incurable disease, same as diabetes, that progressively gets worse over time. COPD is a chronic health condition, as it leaves you breathless and tired. You cannot breathe properly and fully, and when you cannot breathe fully, the incoming air exchange while you breathe is disturbed, which in turn affects your overall health and physical functioning. In general, our bodies burn calories to digest the foods we eat. People with COPD, burn calories 10 mines much faster for the same. It is thereby, very important to eat the right foods in the right quantity to maintain higher levels of energy and thereby follow a dedicated COPD Diet chart.

COPD Diet Plan

Most of us will be surprised to read that the food we eat can directly affect our breathing. The correct mix of nutritious foods helps in breathing easily. COPD Diet Chart helps in effectively managing manage and even preventing some of the adverse health effects caused due to COPD. A well-balanced and healthy COPD Diet Plan has many beneficial health effects, especially for people with acute COPD, like:

• Helps in reducing inflammation
• Improves lungs functioning
• Lowers the risks of developing heart and metabolic diseases
• Improves and maintains muscular strength

So, What is a diet for COPD patients?

A diet for COPD patients should be a well-balanced diet rich in foods with anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants. The diet should have foods rich in:

1. Complex Carbohydrates

Fresh fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils, all contain complex carbs, which the body takes time to break, ensuring a sustained release of energy.

2. Fiber

Fibers are much needed to maintain strong respiratory muscles. Beans and lentils, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are all rich sources of fibers.

3. Protein

Studies reveal that people with COPD have higher protein needs. It helps in improving nutritional status and thereby the quality of life. Eggs, fishes, meats and poultry, nuts and seeds, tofu, legumes, milk, and cheese are all rich in protein.

4. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

Both – Mono and Polyunsaturated fats are healthy fats that help in lowering our cholesterol. Foods like certain vegetable oils like avocado and olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds are all good sources of both healthy fats.

5. Potassium

Potassium deficiency can give rise to lung health issues. It is a very vital component of the health of our lungs. Foods like dark leafy greens, avocado, tomato, beets, potatoes, asparagus, bananas, and oranges should be a part of any diet for lung disease.

6. Eat fresh, eat clean

Eat fresh, eat clean is the mantra. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. These essential nutrients are important to keep our bodies healthy and fit. Prefer non-starchy vegetables except peans, potatoes, and corn as these are low in carbohydrates.

A diet low in carbohydrates is important for people with COPD. It helps manage the symptoms better by producing lower carbon dioxide.

7 foods to avoid with copd

As there are foods that can help people with COPD, there are many foods to avoid with COPD. These are:

1. Fried foods

A Fried and heavily fried foods are often found to cause indigestion and gas, and hence should be avoided by people with COPD as these foods can affect your breathing and cause discomfort.

2. Salt or Sodium

An Excessive consumption of salt or sodium can cause water retention, which can further affect your ability to breathe. Avoid adding extra salt from the shaker, instead use unsalted herbs and spices to flavor your dish.

3. Certain vegetables and legumes

A Some numerous vegetables and legumes can cause gas and bloating and hence should be avoided. Some of them are Brussel sprouts, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, corn, a few lentils, onions, and peas.

4. Certain fruits

Fruits like apples, peaches, apricots, and melons can cause bloating and gas, as these fruits contain fermentable carbs. This can further lead to breathing problems in people suffering from COPD.

5. Dairy and dairy products

It has been observed that milk and milk products make phlegm thick in many people. If it also happens with you, you should stop taking these, otherwise, you can continue enjoying them.

6. Simple carbohydrates

table sugar, candies, cakes, chocolates, sugary desserts, white bread and pasta, and processed foods are made out of simple carbs. Simple carbs have lesser nutrition value than complex carbs and hence should be avoided with COPD.

7. Unhealthy fats

Fast foods, fried foods, processed foods, packaged foods, ice creams, margarine, and sugary desserts are all loaded with trans and unhealthy fats and contribute to unhealthy eating. You should always try to avoid or limit them.

Foods for COPD

Foods for COPD -When you have COPD, you need to eat energy-dense foods. COPD you burn 10 times more energy than normal. It provides the fuel your body needs to make you feel better. What are the best foods for COPD?

1.Bananas:

Bananas help in improving lung function. It won’t be wrong if we say that bananas are the best food for any diet for lung disease. Bananas are a rich source of potassium, which is good for COPD.

2.Fruits:

Fruits like blueberries and strawberries are rich in anti-oxidants and promote better lung function. Grapefruit is another fruit that is great for people with COPD as it has high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some other fruits that are considered good are raspberries, grapes, plums, oranges, pineapples, and kiwi.

3.Oatmeal:

 Oatmeal is rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A, and fibers. It is also easy to eat and highly nutritious. It also keeps you full for a long and is better for all of them who are looking to lose some weight.

Peanut butter: Peanut butter has both – calories and proteins. Proteins are very important for people with COPD.

Frequently Ask Questions