Nutrition and COPD

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) affects many people when the airways of the lungs become inflamed and thickened. There are many lifestyle changes that can help you cope and live a healthy life. A healthy diet with lots of variety of whole foods choices can help symptoms of COPD and make breathing easier.

Tips to help you lose weight, improve breathing efforts, and reduce and/or delay increased symptoms with COPD include:

• Limit simple sugars and added sugars in diet (candy, sugary drinks, cakes, etc). 
• Limit sodium intake. Recommendation is 2300 mg per day about the same as 1 tsp salt. 
• Increase liquids, especially water (unless your MD has you on a fluid restriction) to keep the mucous thin and clear your airways. Drink water throughout the day and not all at once. 
• Include foods rich in Vitamin C each day with fruits and vegetables: oranges, citrus fruits, leafy greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, etc. Vitamin C can help reduce systemic inflammation.
• Strive for 5-7 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. 
• Exercise as approved by your doctor.
• Increase the overall fiber in your diet; Recommended daily 
  amounts for women: 25 grams; men = 38 grams.
• Increase fiber intake gradually and make sure you drink plenty of water as well.

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