The Ultimate COPD Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid

In this problem, we see that if we eat a large amount of food at once, then there is difficulty in breathing because our stomach is located below the diaphragm. If we eat a large amount of food, there is pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, which causes difficulty in breathing. Along with this, this habit also cures the problem of gas and bloating, so divide the whole day's diet into small parts.

Along with hydration, water also helps in thinning and removing mucus. The temperature of water should be normal or lukewarm. Try to drink at least 7-8 glasses of water throughout the day.

In this problem, due to the use of steroids for a long time, there is a deficiency of calcium, vitamin D and potassium in the body, so it is necessary to keep their quantity right in the food.

• For calcium - Use milk and milk products, ragi, orange juice, green leafy vegetables, egg etc.
• For vitamin D - you can consume mushrooms, fatty fish oil. Sitting in the sun is also a solution. But the amount of vitamin D in all these is very low, so you can also do its supplementation after asking the doctor.
• For Potassium- Potassium helps the lungs to function properly but due to steroids, it gets deficient in the body. For this, consume coconut, lemon, orange, plum, melon, tomato, green leafy vegetables etc. regularly in your diet.

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Antioxidants provide the body with the ability to fight infection. For this, include turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cloves, green tea, red and yellow fruits and vegetables like papaya, apple, peach, grapefruit, carrot, pumpkin and juicy fruits like lemon, orange, amla etc. in your diet. 

In COPD, oils like mustard oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, linseed oil, sesame oil, canola oil, etc. can be used. But it is necessary to avoid the use of trans fat and saturated fat. Dalda, butter, cream, biscuits, namkeen, cake, pastry, chips, and packaged snacks contain a lot of trans fat and saturated fat, so avoid them.

Since carbohydrate is one of the main sources of energy for the body, after its metabolism, the amount of carbon dioxide in the body increases which further increases the problem of COPD, hence keeping the amount of carbohydrate in the food low. For this, eat bran or mixed grain (wheat, barley, millet, gram, soybean) roti, whole wheat bread, brown rice, vegetables - bottle gourd, ridge gourd, ladyfinger, tomato, green leafy vegetables etc., fruits like apple, orange, seasonal fruit, papaya, melon etc. can be easily eaten. Avoid carbonated drinks.

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Eat protein rich things first from your plate. Protein repairs muscles and tissues in the body, helps hormones to function, keeps the immunity strong, and is also the main source of energy in COPD. For this, include low-fat milk and yogurt and cheese made from it, pulses, sprouted moong, nuts, eggs, chicken, fish, etc. in your diet.

Some people have seen the problem of excessive mucus formation due to milk or milk products, you should also monitor your condition with these foods. If it causes problems, then stop it and use almond milk or soy milk. Apart from these, the problem of mucus formation is also seen due to the consumption of red meat, ice cream, butter, white bread, pasta, banana, sweets, tea, soda, alcohol etc. Use them according to your symptoms.

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Bloating and gas cause breathing problems. Therefore, use gas-producing substances in minimum quantities. For this, use beans, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, capsicum, peas, corn etc. in minimum quantity. Also, do not delay between two meals.

Excess salt leads to water retention in the body, which can cause breathing problems, so avoid adding salt, pickles, papad, catch-up, sauce, namkeen, chips etc. to food. Also, drink plenty of water. 

Weight gain is seen due to less physical labor and steroids, so check the amount of your food to see if you are eating too much. Avoid overeating or eating too much. Eat fiber-rich food which can reduce the amount of energy. Along with this, take green leafy vegetables and fruits in your food. Along with this, remain physically active according to your capacity. 

Fatigue is a very common problem in such a situation, whoever does his daily work himself (like cooking food, washing utensils, washing clothes etc.) his main problem is that after finishing the work, there is no energy left in the body. To get rid of this problem, prepare food that requires less energy and effort, make a timetable for any work so that your work can be done in minimum time and energy. If there is someone around you, ask for help. 

There are many food supplements or protein supplements available in the market which provide some amount of energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals required for daily routine, but consume them only when the supply of nutrients is not possible through food. First, fulfill the nutrients from your diet, for this, consume grains, pulses, beans, chicken, fish, colorful vegetables and fruits and water in regular quantities in the diet.

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In this problem, due to steroids, an increase in blood sugar is seen, so keep checking blood sugar from time to time, if the blood sugar is high, then start medication after meeting the doctor and consume as little sugar, jaggery, honey, white rice, white bread, sweet fruits like mango, sapota, litchi, grapes, custard apple etc. underground vegetables like potato, arbi, sweet potato, jimikand in the diet.

Lack of appetite is quite common in this problem. In such a situation, to make the food look good, eat vegetable soup. Along with this, you can get into the habit of eating at short intervals. Instead of taking liquid things with food, you can take it in between two meals, this will prevent the stomach from getting too full at one time.