How to Choose Healthy Foods that Promote Healthy Lungs


There are many healthy foods that promote healthier lungs. Heart surgery may result in patients going home on oxygen due to poor lungs or a lung issue as a result of the surgery. If you are a smoker or have stopped smoking, or have respiratory problems, natural foods can help. No matter what your situation is, you can choose healthier foods to promote healing and good


According to doctors and research, selenium promotes healthy elasticity of the bodies lung tissue. Selenium, however eaten in abundance, can result in toxic levels. Be sure to inquire with a doctor or dietitian regarding serving sizes of foods that contain selenium. Brazil nuts are very high in selenium. Other good choices are fish such are Orange roughy, tuna (packed in water), and Halibut. When making pasta, choose whole wheat as another source. For a complete list see resources for many more options for a good variety in your diet.


Fish are another great source for natural Omega-3 fatty acids the human body needs for optimum health. Toss walnuts into a cold apple salad with low-fat yogurt or into other salads.


Cantaloupe and other citrus fruits such as strawberries are high in Vitamin C. These fresh fruits help the healing of recovering lungs or promote healthier lungs. A variety in your diet is very beneficial.


Choose brightly colored vegetables to consume important vitamins and minerals that keep lungs healthy. Examples are green, orange and red bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, yellow summer squash, and cabbage.


Choose foods high in Vitamin A, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, pumpkin. Pumpkin also contains selenium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and more.

Include green leafy vegetables in your diet, such as spinach (high in Vitamin A, E, and Magnesium) and kale. They contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which helps more than just your lungs. It promotes healthier eyes, heart, brain, skin and more. Consider adding spinach to egg beaters for breakfast, or tossing spinach in lentil soup or casseroles to add more of it to your diet.



Garlic and all onions that are associated with the garlic family are very beneficial to optimum health and healing. They not only fight infections of the lung, but are a powerful antioxidant, have been known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure


Add fresh herbs and spices to flavor foods in place of salt. These natural sources offer so many benefits to the body. For example, oregano helps the respiratory tract, and Thyme aids in the healing of respiratory problems. Take time to search the complete benefits of all spices and herbs on the web site: http://www.whfoods.com.

Examples of natural herb benefits:

Parsley- Excellent source of Vitamin K, C, and A
Dill- Good source of magnesium, iron and calcium


Choose foods that are a good source of magnesium, such as pumpkin seeds, spinach, Swiss chard, halibut, black beans, navy beans, artichokes, barley, cornmeal, tomato paste, and almonds. Other foods that also contain magnesium, but in smaller amounts are sweet potatoes, parsnips, chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, lentils and pumpkin.


Many of these foods, including red beets, contain several important vitamins and minerals for optimum health. Beets, for example are high in folate, manganese, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.



Its dinner time, thought this might help us make good choices. Love Holly