The Best Diet for COPD - Advice for A Healthy COPD Diet

The Best COPD Diet for 2023

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When you or a loved one suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you want to do everything you can to ease the symptoms.

Inhalers, steroids, and other medications, as well as oxygen therapy, are all potential treatments for these diseases, but there are other things you can adjust to better your life with COPD, including making your diet healthier.

Keep Your Weight in Check

One of the first things to do after being diagnosed with COPD is to examine your weight. If you are currently overweight, it’s important to try and get down to a healthy weight range. This can vastly improve your quality of life, and not just regarding breathing easier.

Moving around with excess weight can make you even more fatigued and cause you to feel out of breath even more quickly. Obesity can also cause other health complications, which can worsen your COPD symptoms. On the other hand, you should not lose too much weight because being underweight can be just as bad for your health as being overweight when it comes to COPD, as your body may lack the energy to support breathing properly.

Eat the Right Foods

Instead of starting the latest fad diet, turn your attention to eating the right foods. Fad diets may be, in fact, bad for your health, as they often focus on just losing weight with no emphasis on getting the right nutrients. Patients with COPD need to make sure they are getting enough vitamins and minerals rather than following the latest health trend.

Protein: COPD patients should make sure they get enough protein, which is used by the body to build and repair tissue as well as many other important functions. One study showed that COPD patients commonly eat too little protein, exacerbating the symptoms of the disease. Eating the right type of protein is essential. Some high-fat protein sources can make breathing more difficult. Opt for lean protein sources like skinless poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Protein for a Healthy COPD Diet

Fiber: A 2007 study showed that dietary fiber might be associated with better lung function, meaning that COPD patients may benefit from an increased fiber intake. Whole grains, brown rice, nuts, whole grain cereals, oatmeal, and produce such as apples, blueberries, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes are great sources of fiber to add to your diet. Aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, including leafy greens, berries, and citrus fruits.

Fiber for a Healthy COPD Diet

Vitamin D: Another study showed that vitamin D deficiency is common among COPD patients, which worsens as the condition progresses. Increasing the intake of vitamin D can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis as well as prevent the lungs from deteriorating even further due to COPD. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, eggs, and even some exposure to the sun can help increase your vitamin D intake.

Drink plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated is important for thinning mucus and making it easier to cough up. Aim for at least eight cups of fluids per day, including water, herbal tea, and low-sugar fruit juice.

Avoid the Wrong Foods

Bloat-causing foods: Foods such as cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli and cauliflower) can cause excessive gas which can make it feel as though it is difficult to breathe. These vegetables are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, so patients with COPD can eat them — just not too much.

Processed and fried foods: Processed and fried foods are often high in saturated and trans fats, sodium, and calories, which can worsen COPD symptoms and increase the risk of heart disease. Instead, choose whole foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins.

Salt: Excess sodium can exacerbate respiratory issues and cause a host of other health problems — so it’s wise for COPD patients to reduce their salt intake. Skip salty foods such as potato chips, fries, pretzels, and other salty snacks, and make sure that any ingredient you add to your diet is low-sodium.

Even a few changes to your diet can help ease some of the symptoms of COPD, and perhaps help stop the disease from worsening.

Date Updated: April 26, 2023
Date Published: March 5, 2018

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Sources:

  • National Library of Medicine. Dietary fiber, lung function, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377022/
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. COPD: Nutrition and physical activity from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/copd-nutrition-and-physical-activity
  • American Lung Association. Nutrition and COPD from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

17 thoughts on “The Best COPD Diet for 2023

  1. Had 4PE’s led to pulmonary hypertension. I was dying. I had a Thrombarendarectom on June 25, 2017 still overweight 46year old female

  2. Can be likened as the following safety tip Look both ways before crossing the road. There’s no substance in the article at all.

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  3. I appreciate the general info about health, exercise, O2 use and the features and availability of POC’s. When I need extra equipment I will be contacting you first. Thank you.

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    • You’re welcome! I’m glad we could help. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

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