Bronchitis Diet : Food to Eat & Avoid

Bronchitis Diet

Bronchitis Diet – Healthy diet for bronchitis patients. Here are some healthy food options to help you recover from a respiratory infection.

During the winters, most of us get infected by viruses and bacteria that also give us the cold or flu. Bronchitis is also one of the most common diseases that most of us suffer from in the cold months. Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which our bronchial tubes that have linings get inflated and making it harder for the air to travel to our lungs. It also produces mucus, mainly in the airways, and makes it difficult for us to breathe properly when affected. Bronchitis prevention and its treatment are always possible by following a bronchitis diet. It is our bronchial tubes that are responsible for carrying air from the lungs, and bronchitis is a condition where the linings of our bronchial tubes are swollen or inflamed. This causes a lot of mucus, and cough, leading to shortness of breath and other cold symptoms like fever, body aches, and more.  

A bronchitis diet can make us healthier both, physically and mentally. Hence, we should all know the foods that we should include in our daily diet, which will help us enhance our immune system and also assist in fighting the inflammation that clogs the tubes. After all, good health is the greatest gift we possess, and once lost, it can be really difficult to regain. If there is anything that we can all do to improve our health, we should surely turn wise and take all possible precautions to ensure we stay at the best of our health.

Bronchitis Diet

When we have bronchitis, our bronchial tubes that carry air to our lungs, get infected and are swollen. When we get it, we probably have a bad cough, and lots of mucus, and may also have general cold symptoms like chills and body aches.

Bronchitis may be caused by many things, from bacterial and virus infection to allergies and air pollution. But whether your bronchitis is acute or chronic, it is the bronchitis diet that can go a long way in your recovery and management of the systems.

Bronchitis Food to eat

Bronchitis Food to eat

There are many uncomfortable symptoms of bronchitis, from sore throat to stuffy and runny nose. The best way forward to alleviate these symptoms and get relief from bronchitis is to alter your diet, and include these best foods for bronchitis in your daily food list:

1. Foods with high energy content

Foods provide our bodies with much-needed nutrients like fats, protein, and carbohydrates that impact how much energy we will have and how much carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide is the waste product that leaves our bodies when we breathe out. Now if our bodies have too much carbon dioxide, we might feel weaker and have difficulties in breathing.

To manage this issue, we must consume foods that are high in energy, or calories like fruits, and vegetables, paneer, energy bars, and homemade Indian desserts like laddus, kheer, and halwa.

2. Protein-rich foods

High protein

Breathing problems and frequent fever lead to muscle loss and low body energy levels. Eating foods rich in protein like eggs, legumes, cheese, nuts, and seeds, help us recover and maintain muscle mass and also maintains higher levels of energy.

3. Antioxidants

Foods high in Antioxidants

Chest infections are common with bronchitis, which might lead to hospitalization. Hence, it is very important to reduce the chances of getting infected by including as many as possible anti-oxidant rich foods in our daily diet. Anti-oxidants help the body fight infections. Include colorful fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, eggs, and nuts and seeds in your daily diet.  Include foods rich in vitamin A and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits

Fruits like lemon, orange, gooseberry, and sweet lime are rich in vitamin C, which aids in combating bronchial fever and strengthens our immune system.

5. Fluids

Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses of non-caffeinated beverage) a day makes it easy to cough up as it trains the mucus thin. Make sure to limit your caffeine intake for better results.

Your Diet for Acute Bronchitis should include:

  • Leafy greens like spinach, kale, cabbage, collard greens, and Swiss chard.
  • Citrus foods contain vitamin C, which is beneficial in strengthening immunity and combating viral fevers.
  • Green veggies have antioxidants that help combat infections.
  • Garlic. Best for cough and cold and mucus. They have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
  • Grass-fed meats. These have high amounts of vitamin A and E, zinc, and omega-3, which boost immune functions.

Foods to Avoid Bronchitis

As there are foods that we should include in our bronchitis diet plan to stay safeguarded from infection and inflammation, there are certain foods to avoid bronchitis too. These are:

  • Salt: Adding too much salt to your foods might result in water retention, making breathing much more difficult when you have bronchitis. Use the following simple steps to limit your salt intake and ensure Allergic bronchitis food to avoid:
  • Flavor your foods with herbs and spices.
  • Don’t add the extra dose of salt after cooking the food.
  • Avoid all sorts of namkeen and snacky foods like pickles, papadum, and alike.
  • Check the food levels for the added sodium in them.
  • Avoid using salt substitutes.
  • non-nutritious beverages.
  • Alcohol.
  • Dry foods, and spices.
  • Fast and processed foods.

Ayurvedic Diet for Bronchitis

Ancient Ayurveda also has many solutions through foods to deal with bronchitis. If you are suffering from chronic bronchitis, then follow this ayurvedic remedy as your chronic bronchitis diet.

Turmeric Tea :

Make your tea with turmeric powder and half a teaspoon of honey and drink it. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and honey will help reduce inflammation.

Ginger and Honey:

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve swollen bronchial tubes.

Raw Garlic:

Garlic has been used since ancient times for its medicinal values. The anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties of garlic make for its values.

Herbal Tea:

For its medicinal values.

Giloy Kadha :

Giloy is an amazing Indian fruit that removes toxins, purifies your blood, fights infections, and reduces inflammation. A must in the list of Indian food for bronchitis. 

In case of suffering from bronchitis, we need to prevent any sot of infections and keep our lungs in prime health. The best diet for bronchitis should be a well-balanced one rich n vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can keep our breathing easy and make us stay comfortable.

Also, eating spicy foods can help clear blocked sinus and bronchial tubes. Some of the spicy food for bronchitis that you may include in your daily diet are basil, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree herbs, thyme oregano, cayenne pepper, and chili pepper, and black pepper.

Frequently Ask Questions ( FAQ’s )

1. What can worsen bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis can be a result of long-term exposure to irritants that further damage our lungs and the airways. Smoking cigarettes, tobacco, and smoking can cause chronic bronchitis. Some of the main risk factors that can worsen bronchitis are:

Smoking: It is the main risk factor.
Age: As we grow old (40 years and above), we are more prone to develop bronchitis.
Exposure: Long-term exposure to irritants like smoke, dust, air pollution, chemical fumes, and alike.
Genetics

2. How can I permanently cure bronchitis?

Bronchitis, particularly chronic bronchitis is a long-term illness and it keeps coming back and never goes away fully. However, you can manage the symptoms efficiently through some common home remedies and stay relaxed.

Use ginger as much as possible, in your tea, and foods, and even chew raw ginger.
The use of garlic more often in your food.
Turmeric
Take steam more often. It aids in breaking the mucus so that it can be expelled easily.
Gargle with salt water quite often.
Get good sleep, as it enhances your immune functionalities.
Make necessary lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding visiting place with high pollution levels.

3. Is drinking herbal tea beneficial in a bronchitis diet?

Absolutely! Having a cup of herbal tea in the morning is not only good for bronchitis but a great way to start the day. You can drink chamomile or green tea for best results. They can help soothe your throat. The antioxidants in these teas can give your immune system a boost. This can help you to combat the illness. In addition, these teas do not have any calories. They have a number of other perks.

4. Can any home remedies help in relieving bronchitis symptoms?

Yes, a number of home remedies can help you recover from bronchitis. Some of them are staying hydrated. You can do so by increasing your fluid intake. Honey is a great way to get well soon. You can mix some honey into a warm drink. Gargling regularly with warm salt water can help. This will soothe a sore throat and clear mucus. These home remedies can help you get better. Practise them with a bronchitis diet for best results.

5. Can having spices in your diet help in relieving symptoms of bronchitis?

Spices may aid in betterment of symptoms. You can have spices in a number of meals. Spices like turmeric and ginger can help you here. This is because they have anti-inflammatory properties. But remember, although they are beneficial, have them in moderation.

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