Having healthy eating habits can directly impact your breathing. Breathing requires more energy for people having COPD; consuming adequate quantities of food throughout the day is important. It is also important to think about the way you are eating. Having COPD, breathlessness can easily happen while eating. When you have food in your mouth, sometimes breathing through it isn’t possible, same thing may happen with your nose, especially if the nose is congested.
In this information module, you will receive information about eating habits that can benefit your health and benefit your breathing while eating.
Advice on eating habits
- What food would you prefer eating ? It can be tiring to eat, but it is important to eat well and healthy. Find healthy food that you enjoy eating. Tip : look at cookbooks or online cooking blogs to get inspiration.
- Avoid food that causes gas and bloating such as dairy products, processed food, carbonated drinks, beans and cabbage. These food tend to make breathing more difficult, as gas and bloating makes your stomach more sensitive.
Tip : keep track of what makes you bloated with a food diary. - If needed, divide your large 3 daily meals into 4 to 6 small meals a day. Larger meals put more pressure on your breathing muscle, called diaphragm. Smaller portions will make your diaphragm move more freely, making your lungs easier to move as well.
- Increase fluid intake as dehydration can make breathing more difficult.
- If shortness of breath during meals is a recurring issue, discuss it with your healthcare provider for further guidance and advice.
Advice to minimize shortness of breath while eating
- Take your time: Chew slowly. Eating quickly can lead to breathlessness.
- Take a short rest: If you tend to be tired while eating, take a short rest brake before eating or, if prescribed, use oxygen therapy while eating your food.
- Avoid large gulps: Take small and controlled sips to prevent choking and facilitate breathing.
- Take smaller bites: It is important to eat slowly and take smaller bites of food as your oxygen intake is short. Tip: put down your cutlery while chewing your food.
- Sit correctly: Have a correct sitting position while eating. You should be sitting upright while eating, so that there isn’t any pressure on your lungs.
- Correct breathing: If needed practice correct breathing techniques such as : Pursed lip breathing.
Pursed lip breathing technique : more information can be found on the other information modules.