Our Body uses food as fuel for all the activities. Good nutrition helps the body to fight illness. Right blend of nutrients in the diet can help to breathe easier. Eating diet low in carbohydrate and right choice of fat helps a person maintain good lung health.
Nutrition guidelines to be followed
Maintain healthy body weight – Maintaining a healthy body weight helps to improve the lung function. Obesity or loss of excess weight could affect the lung functions.
Include healthy fats – Fats rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids must be added to the diet. Addition of omega 3 fatty acids has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may be of benefit in a chronic lung disease. Include foods such as flaxseed, almond, walnut, soybean oil, rice bran oil, cannola oil in the diet. Limit the use of saturated fat and trans fat rich foods such as butter, hydrogenated fat, lard, margarine, bakery products. Avoid fried foods.
Right choice of Carbohydrates – Choose foods rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, millets, fruits and vegetables. Limit the intake of simple carbohydrate foods such as simple sugar, candy, desserts, soft drinks, fruit juices, Refined flour (Maida).
Eat fiber foods – Add foods rich in fiber such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, sprouts, fruits and vegetables.
Add Protein food – Protein food helps to maintain strong respiratory muscles. Eggs, fish, peas, sprouts, milk, paneer must be incorporated in the diet. High protein high calorie diet is recommended for undernourished patients.
Add foods rich in antioxidants – Include a variety of fruits and vegetables as they are good source of antioxidant foods. Add plenty of green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and red yellow group of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid processed foods, sweetened beverages and high salt in the diet.
Limit sodium in the diet. – Remove the salt shaker. Use herbs and other flavors like lime, amchur, ginger, garlic to make the food palatable. Read the food labels well.
Hydrate well – It’s important to drink of plenty of water throughout the day. This helps to keep the mucus thin. Limit the intake of caffeinated beverages. . Ask the Doctor in condition of fluid restriction.
Dietary tips for Better breathing
- Small meal frequent pattern – Eat 4 to 6 small meals a day. Eat at the time when one feels comfortable i.e. preferably at the start of the day.
- Eat slowly – Take small bites and chew your food well.
- Choose the soft foods to avoid discomfort while eating.
- Eat while sitting up to ease lung pressure.
- Drink liquids after a meal instead of before or during a meal.
- Make the meal more enjoyable by engaging in social interaction while dining.
- Rest well before eating.
- Avoid over eating and foods that cause gas or bloating as it could make breathing uncomfortable. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, legumes, cucumber, onions, radishes, melons are gassy foods which could be watched for.
Foods to be included and excluded
| Food groups | Foods to include | Foods to exclude |
| Cereal , Millet and their products | Whole grain cereals, millets like jowar, bajra, oats, Ragi | Bakery products, Biscuits, cream rolls, Khari, crackers. |
| Pulses and legumes | All pulses, sprouts | |
| Milk and Meat products | In case of no allergy – low fat dairy products, lean chicken steamed fish, Egg
|
Full fat dairy products, cream, red meat |
| Fruits and vegetables | All fruits and vegtables | Canned juices, ready soups |
| Miscellaneous | – | High salt foods – papad, pickles, ketchups, sauces.
|
–By Dr.Arvind H Kate
M.D.FCCP[USA]
Basic foundation Diploma Yoga
[Mumbai University]
Contact for any dietary advisory
Dietician Priya Palan
+91 98 20 209281