Metabolism is the body’s process of converting food into energy. Oxygen is used to start the process, and carbon dioxide is released when metabolism is finished. Your lungs are responsible for breathing in the oxygen needed, then breathing out the carbon dioxide.
People living with lung diseases such as COPD have a hard time breathing out carbon dioxide. Eating foods that produce a lot of carbon dioxide during metabolism – especially simple carbohydrates – makes it harder for someone with COPD to breathe. Problems with metabolism can also lead to more health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Foods also have an effect on inflammation, which plays a major role in COPD. An anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce inflammation and improve lung function.
Which Foods Are Best for Lung Health?
A well-balanced diet of the right mix of healthy foods can help:
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve lung function
- Maintain energy levels
- Lower the risk of other health problems
Next time you head to the grocery store, consider choosing foods with more of these lung-friendly nutrients:
- Complex carbohydrates. Also called “starchy” foods, complex carbohydrates release their energy slowly. It is best to limit yourself to complex carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables if you are trying to lose weight. If you are trying to gain weight, add more complex carbohydrates like 100% whole-grain varieties of bread and pasta, oats, and quinoa.
- Fiber. Dietary fiber is associated with better lung function and reduced respiratory symptoms. The American Lung Association recommends that people with COPD try to consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day. Good sources of dietary fiber include whole grains and legumes such as peas, beans and lentils.
- Protein. Healthy sources of protein include eggs, fish, dairy products, lean meat, nuts and beans.
Foods to Avoid
For better lung health, it is best to limit your intake of some foods, including:
- Processed foods. Some processed foods can fit into a healthy diet. Dairy foods such as low-fat milk, whole grain products, and vegetables and fruits that have been washed, precut, frozen, dried or dehydrated have all been minimally processed. In contrast, highly processed foods are often packed with sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients and chemicals. This category includes boxed and frozen meals, packaged snacks, sweet drinks and meat products such as hot dogs.
- Salt. Salt causes fluid retention. This fluid can build up in the lungs and make breathing difficult. Some surprisingly salty foods include bread, pizza, canned soup and lunch meats. Consider switching to low-sodium versions of these foods or avoid them altogether.
- Saturated fats. The “bad for you” fats tend to be solid at room temperature. Examples include cooking fats like butter, shortening, lard, coconut oil and palm oil. Foods with saturated fat include fatty meats like beef and pork.
Inflammation-Fighting Foods
No one food can fight inflammation on its own—all of the foods you eat work together to reduce inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet focuses on whole, nutritious foods rich in antioxidants. These substances help stop inflammation before it starts.
Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain beneficial antioxidants, including:
- Carotenoids in carrots, yellow squash, tomatoes, watermelon and sweet potatoes.
- Anthocyanins in blueberries, blackberries and cherries.
Antioxidant vitamins can also be found in a wide variety of other foods, such as:
- Vitamin A in animal and plant foods such as melons, mangos, beef liver, fish oil, milk and eggs.
- Vitamin C in citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and potatoes.
- Vitamin E in whole grains, seeds and nuts.
Mediterranean Diet
You may have heard that a Mediterranean-style diet can benefit heart health. Some studies have shown that this diet can help lung health, too.
The Mediterranean diet is not a strict plan, but a flexible approach to healthy eating. The diet features lots of plant-based foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and healthy fats such as olive oil. The diet emphasizes fish and other seafood over other types of meat. Only small amounts of foods like butter, eggs and sugar are included.
COPD and Hydration
It is very important for people with COPD to stay hydrated. Being properly hydrated helps to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough up. And being dehydrated may make it harder to breathe due to effects on small airway function.
To prevent dehydration, if you do not have any fluid restrictions in place by your doctor, you should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day. Frequent small sips are helpful if you cannot drink a full glass at a time.
Water is best, but other drinks, like milk, flavored sparkling water and low-sugar fruit juices, can also be helpful. Some foods are hydrating, such as watermelon, cucumber, celery, strawberries and low-sodium broths or soups. Learn more about staying hydrated with COPD.
COPD: Balancing the Scales
Many people living with COPD have a hard time maintaining a healthy weight. Some people gain too much weight, while others lose too much. Keeping your weight in a healthy range can enhance overall health and improve lung function.
Being overweight creates more work for the lungs and breathing muscles. Studies show that obesity is linked with a decline in lung function. For people with COPD, obesity can make symptoms worse. Having COPD already increases the risk of developing problems such as heart disease—and obesity increases the risk even further. Fortunately, getting to a healthy weight can improve lung function and benefit overall health.
Being underweight can also become a problem in COPD. Some people living with COPD lose so much weight that they become undernourished. With COPD, it takes a lot of energy just to breathe. Other symptoms, such as bloating and chest discomfort, can make it difficult to eat. You may feel too tired to prepare and cook meals. Or you may simply have lost your appetite. There are resources like ready-to-cook meal services that save time and energy while providing a nourishing meal. If you choose to eat frozen or other prepared meals, check to make sure the ingredients are healthy and the sodium levels are low. Low-sodium, preservative-free prepared meals made with whole foods and only a few ingredients are best. Protein shakes and meal replacement shakes can also help keep your calories up but make sure the sugar and carbohydrate levels aren’t too high.
If you are thinking of changing your eating habits to help manage your COPD, it is a good idea to discuss it with your primary care physician or pulmonologist. Together, you can make sure your eating plan provides the right nutrients to boost your energy levels, preserve muscle strength and benefit lung function.
More to Read
- Cooking with Spices for Flavor and Health
- How Eating Added Sugar Puts You at Higher Risk for Health Issues
- How and Why You Should Limit Your Salt Intake
- COPD and Dehydration
Medically reviewed by Daniel Shinners, MD.
