Nutrition

Why is eating a problem for people with COPD?

COPD can make eating more difficult because lack of energy can make it a challenge to prepare and eat meals19:

  • Some medications can reduce the appetite
  • Shortness of breath can make it difficult to eat. Holding your breath while chewing or swallowing may be uncomfortable if you are already short of breath
  • Some patients with COPD experience depression, which can cause them to lose interest in food
  • Eating can make it harder to breathe. A full stomach tends to push up and interfere with the diaphragm, making breathing more difficult

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Why is it important to eat well and regularly?

If you have COPD, eating healthy foods regularly is especially important because19:

  • Food provides you with the energy you need to breathe
  • Nutrients are necessary for a healthy immune system to fight infections
  • Eating healthy foods can help you gain or maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, your heart and lungs have to work harder, which makes breathing more difficult. Eating healthy foods can help you lose weight. If you eat too little or are underweight, you will feel tired. You may find it more difficult to perform everyday activities and maintain your independence. Being underweight can increase your chance of getting infections

How to eat

To maintain a healthy diet, start by making eating enjoyable. Eat tasty dishes served in a pleasant environment. If you find it hard to eat, try the following tips19:

  • Choose foods that are easy to prepare
  • Eat in a relaxed atmosphere
  • Eat with friends and family
  • Eat your meal early. This will give you energy throughout more of the day
  • Try to include a favorite food in each meal
  • Stop smoking. It is never too late to quit. No matter how long you have had COPD or how serious it is, quitting smoking will help slow the disease and improve your quality of life. Besides, food tastes better when you don’t smoke
  • Plan your medication schedule so that you are taking your breathing medications about one hour before eating
  • Rest before eating
  • Eat while sitting up. This helps remove pressure on your lungs
  • Eat and chew slowly so you are less likely to become short of breath. Put your spoon or fork down between bites to slow your eating speed19

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What to eat

  • Eat six small meals each day instead of three large ones. This way, your stomach is never too full. A full stomach can interfere with breathing by pushing on the diaphragm
  • Drink your beverage at the end of the meal. Drinking before or during the meal can fill you up more quickly
  • If you have a hard time breathing in the morning, do not skip breakfast. Drink a liquid breakfast or nutritional supplement
  • Eat a varied diet that includes foods from all the food groups

What not to eat

  • Avoid foods that are difficult to chew
  • Avoid or eat only small amounts of gassy foods that cause bloating and make breathing difficult. These include:
    • Vegetables: onions, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, brussels sprouts, corn, cabbage,cucumbers, turnips, beans (except green beans)
    • Fruits: melons, raw apples
    • Greasy foods
  • Use less salt
    • Use herbs or no-salt spices to give lots of flavor to your meals
    • Don't add salt to foods while cooking
    • Buy packaged foods low in salt
  • Limit your intake of caffeine21
  • Don't waste energy consuming foods with little nutritional value such as potato chips, candy bars, or soft drinks19

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For more information on nutrition and recipes, check out the following sites:

 

NOTE: Talk to your doctor for a plan that's right for you.