Diet Chart For copd

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD mandates a number of checks in a patient’s eating and lifestyle habits in order to conserve energy and optimise lung capacity and function. When individuals are diagnosed with COPD, it zaps out energy to even breathe and that is why it is of utmost necessity that COPD patients maintain a well-balanced healthy diet which can preserve energy and give the body the fuel to fight infection.

Following are the key constituents of a COPD diet:

1. Staying balanced – A healthy diet is one that is balanced. COPD patients are advised to include fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and dairy products in their diet regiment.
2. Foods to avoid – Salt intake should be minimised and avoided as too much sodium in your body can cause water retention which can lead to difficulties in breathing. Caffeine from chocolate, coffee and sodas should be avoided as well because it may hamper with your COPD medication. The consumption of friend and spicy foods is also discouraged as this can cause gas, indigestion and breathing problems.
3. More meals – COPD patients are advised to have small frequent meals instead of a few large ones in order to mitigate shortness of breath.
4. Watch your weight – It is inadvisable for COPD patients to be either overweight or underweight. Being underweight leads to quicker exhaustion and being overweight makes breathing more difficult as your heart and lungs have to work harder.

Sulfites are a type of preservative that may worsen COPD Sulfites are found in wine, dried fruits, pickled food, maraschino cherries, shrimp, and bottled lemon and lime juice. Eating large meals or foods that cause gas puts pressure on your diaphragm, especially if you have acid reflux. This may cause chest tightness and trigger asthma flares. These foods include beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks, onions, garlic, and fried foods. Although it’s rare, some people with asthma may be sensitive to salicylates found in coffee, tea, and some herbs and spices. Chemical preservatives, flavorings, and colorings are often found in processed and fast food. Some people with COPD may be sensitive or allergic to these artificial ingredients. People with food allergies may also have asthma.

Do's:

1. Eat adequate high carbohydrate meals every day to keep glycogen stores full and make most of your training sessions.
2. Allow 3-4 hours digetion time for a large meal, 2-3 for smaller meal, 1-2 for blended or liquid meals and less than one hour for smaller snacks.
3. If you eat less than one hour before the event be sure to snack on any tried and truelow fat high carbohydrate snack.

Dont's:

1. Dehydrate your body.
2. Maintain proper balance of intake and output.
3. Balance your protein and carb intake wisely.
4. Alcohol & smoking should be avoided totally.
5. Avoiding contact with others would prevent the spread of pathogens that could cause other people to contract the disease as well.

1. Cereals & Cereal products: Rice, parboiled rice, whole wheat flour, wheat flour, brown bread, Bengal gram daal, chickpeas, kidney beans, arhar daal, toor daal.
2. Vegetables & Fruits: Bell peppers, broccolli, carrots, snake gourd, tapioca, yam, taro, methi leaves, coriander leaves, lotus stems, spring onions, onions, garlic, ginger, tomato, mango, lemons, oranges, berries, grapes, pears, pomegranate, kiwis, cherries.
3. Milk & Milk products: Curd, toned milk, paneer, custard, payasam, ghee, lassi, etc.
4. Meat, Fish & Poultry: Chicken (fowl & lean), sweet water fishes.
5. Nuts, Oils & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, vegetable oil, mustard oil, olive oil.