Foods That May Worsen COPD Symptoms

4 Common Food-Groups That May Worsen COPD Symptoms

By Deborah Leader, RN

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans place great emphasis on calorie restriction and increasing physical activity. They also encourage us to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood and fat-free and low-fat dairy products while limiting sodium, added sugars, refined grains and saturated and trans-fats. Guidelines such as these play an important part in any healthy, well-balanced diet, especially for people with COPD.
Recent studies suggest that some of these foods, even though nutritious, may worsen COPD symptoms in a small number of patients, increasing cough and mucus production, and possibly even worsening shortness of breath.

If your symptoms get worse after eating certain foods, it may not be a coincidence. Start paying close attention to how your body reacts to the foods you eat, especially the ones from the following list. If you can identify a pattern, you may be able to pinpoint which food is responsible for your problematic reaction. Once the food is identified, you can choose to either limit, or eliminate it completely, from your daily diet.

1. Limit Foods That Increase Mucus and Cough

Most of us have been led to believe that excess mucus production and a worsening cough are direct consequences of consuming too much dairy. Although it's true that products like milk, cheese and yogurt may thicken mucus, dairy products do not typically increase mucus production or worsen a cough. On the contrary, recent studies suggest that a meaty, salty, starchy diet does. In fact, people who eat a diet rich in meat, refined starches and sodium are 1.43 times more likely to have a persistent, productive cough than those whose diet consists mostly of soy and fruit. Limiting these foods may help reduce chronic respiratory problems, like cough and increased mucus, which are associated with COPD. Which foods fall into this category? Check out the following: Pork, chicken, fish, and red or processed meats
Sweets and desserts
French fries and other fried dishes
Noodle dishes, especially those containing white pasta
Preserved and processed foods
Refined grains

2. Cut Down on Foods That Cause Gas and Bloating


Certainly, cruciferous vegetables are delicious and nutritious, but they're also notorious for causing gas and bloating. And they're not the only foods behind these annoyingand sometimes embarrassingsymptoms. For most people, gas that leads to bloating can be quite uncomfortable. For people with COPD, however, bloating can create increased pressure on the diaphragm that may worsen dyspnea. If any of the following foods cause you to feel gassy and bloated, lean toward other choices: Broccoli
Cabbage
Kale
Brussel sprouts
Cauliflower
Bok choy
Radishes
Fried chicken and other fried, greasy foods
Carbonated beverages


3. Go Easy on Nitrates

A recent study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, finds that eating large amounts of nitrates (substances used to preserve cured meats) may aggravate COPD symptoms so badly that hospitalization for COPD exacerbation is necessary. Nitrates may also worsen disease progression. What's considered too large an amount? Researchers say that eating more than one slice of ham per day is all it takes to have this effect. In order to avoid this risk, a moderate or occasional intake of nitrates is recommended. Foods that are high in nitrates include: Hot dogs
Bacon
Cold cuts and other processed luncheon meats
Ham

4. Watch Out for Food Allergens

Some people, including people with COPD, are highly sensitive to food allergens. Food allergies are associated with worsening respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and bronchospasm. If you've been diagnosed with food allergies, then you already know what you canand cannoteat. But if your symptoms tend to get worse after you eat, and you're unable to attribute them to any other justifiable cause, perhaps an underlying food allergy is the reason. The following foods account for the majority of all allergic reactions: Eggs
Nuts
Wheat and cereals that contain glutens
Milk
Peanuts (one of the most allergenic foods that cause severe, often fatal allergic reactions)
Tree nuts, such as hazel nuts, walnuts or pecans
Soybeans
Crustaceans including crab, shrimp or lobster and mollusks such as snails or oysters

Remember, maintaining a healthy weight for your height and bone structure is most important when choosing an eating plan. If you're concerned with being overweight or underweight, talk with your health care provider about modifying your diet and beginning an exercise program. In the meantime, here are some suggestions on what to include in your diet if you have COPD:

Best Foods for a COPD Diet

http://copd.about.com/od/copd/a/copddiet.htm

Healthy Eating Tips for People With COPD

http://copd.about.com/od/copdandnutrition/COPD_and_Nutrition.htm

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I hope your having an easy breathing day,

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Holly