Food is the fuel your body needs to perform all activities. As breathing requires more energy for people with COPD, it is crucial to follow a healthy and balanced diet. It will also help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent respiratory infections.
What should you eat?
- Choose complex over simple carbohydrate. Eat whole-grain bread and pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit table sugar, candy, cake and regular soft drinks.
- Eat 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day. You can find it in bread, pasta, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
- Eat a good source of protein at least twice a day. Milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and dried beans or peas help maintain strong respiratory muscles.
- Limit foods that contain saturated fat. Avoid butter, fat from meat or fried foods. Choose mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, which do not contain cholesterol. These are fats that are often liquid at room temperature and come from plant sources.
- Drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses daily. It is important not only to keep you hydrated, but also to help keep mucus thin for easier removal.
- Control your sodium (salt) consumption. Eating too much salt causes the body to retain too much water, causing breathing to be more difficult.
Nutritional disorders are common in COPD patients (under nutrition, overweight or even obesity). According to “Santé Respiratoire France”, 25 to 50% of COPD patients have a poor nutritional status and at least 20% are undernourished.