For individuals living with any chronic health condition, adequate sleep, reduced stress, and a healthy diet are of utmost importance. If you suffer from any type of breathing difficulties, in addition to seeing your doctor, the consumption of certain foods that support a healthy weight as well as the respiratory system as a whole may help to reduce symptoms of wheezing, coughing, mucus build up, and shortness of breath.
If you suffer with a chronic breathing condition, such as asthma or Image result for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a diet rich in the following foods may improve your overall nutrition, help you lose weight, improve energy, and reduce respiratory related symptoms:
1. Omega 3 fats
Consuming more fats may seem counterintuitive if many of your breathing symptoms stem from being overweight. Asthmatic and COPD patients often suffer further airway restriction (especially during sleep) if they’re carrying around extra pounds. Not to mention, excess weight places stress on your cardiovascular system as well as your lungs. However, consuming a diet rich in healthy fats, or omega-3 fatty acids and poly- and monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, eggs, nuts, avocados, and fatty fish may help you maintain a healthy weight.
2. Pack on the lean protein
Health experts have identified a link between patients with COPD and protein deficiency. If you’re diet is low in healthy protein sources, such as eggs, nuts, chicken, fish, and lean red meats, you may suffer from protein deficiency and muscle wasting, which may lead to respiratory and heart issues. Aim to consume a diet rich in lean protein sources.
3. Beans and legumes
Beans, legumes, and peas are often a base for many meals, for good reason. Beans, peas, and legumes (i.e., lentils) are not only high in fiber, their also loaded with vitamins and minerals that support respiratory health, such as zinc, which is linked to reducing COPD symptoms. So do your part by featuring a variety of beans, chickpeas, and lentils on your plate.
4. Whole grain goodness
Just like beans and legumes, whole grains are filled with high-fiber, meaning they largely feature grains such as millet, quinoa, oats, spelt, corn, and brown rice among their ingredients rather than empty refined carbohydrates (found in white breads). Pulmonary experts largely agree that refined carbs tax the lungs (by exhaling carbon dioxide) compared to that of whole grains.
5. Fill up on fresh produce
Just like the goal is to fill your lungs up with fresh air, patients with chronic asthma and COPD should fill their bellies up with fresh, fruits and vegetables. These are loaded with essential nutrients (i.e., vitamin A) and inflammatory fighting antioxidants that improve COPD symptoms.
