Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Breathe easier, prevent infection, and keep breathing muscles strong with the right mix of nutrients

Recommended For

Asthma, refractory (non-reversible), Chronic bronchitis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Emphysema, Lung disease, Progressive lung disease.

Diet Goals

Minimize weight loss, prevent malnutrition

  • Frequent meals with foods easy to chew and swallow
  • Supplement meals with high calorie, protein drinks to maintain weight
  • Track nutrients to prevent malnutrition
Diet helps manage the two biggest problems associated with COPD - malnutrition and the massive calorie burn with labored breathing.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Nutrition drinks: Supplement drinks high in calories, protein
Whole grains: Whole wheat bread & pasta, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown rice
Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
High protein: Meats, eggs, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt
Nuts, Seeds: Chia seeds, flax, pepitas, almonds, walnuts
Lean meats: Chicken, turkey, fish, tuna, shrimp, pork chops

Foods to Avoid

Processed meats: Sausage, hot dogs, jerky, deli meat, bacon
Low fat dairy: Skim, 1% milk, yogurt, cheeses, buttermilk
Acidic foods: Coffee, citrus juice, chocolate, fried, spicy, tomato
Alcohol: Beer, wine, liquor, canned alcohol drinks
High sodium: Deli meat, soup, cheese, pizza, salty nuts & snacks
Gas producing foods: Soda, fried foods, cabbage, beans, legumes

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Dietary changes show almost immediate results; can help reduce inflammation, infection, maintain strong respiratory muscles & improve lung function.
Diet higher in fat, lower in carbs may help COPD; carbs produce carbon dioxide during metabolism.
Diet that helps reverse low weight and muscle wasting can improve quality of life and survival with COPD.

Caveats

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods can directly benefit breathing.
Long term use of steroids may increase need for calcium. Vitamin D helps body absorb calcium. Calcium from foods better absorbed than supplements.
Avoid foods that cause bloating, gas: can make breathing more difficult; consider low FODMAP foods.
Hydration key; water helps keep mucus thin for easier removal.

References

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guideline. (2019). Academy of Nutrition. Website
Akpınar, E. (2019). An Underestimated Comorbidity of COPD: Thyroid Dysfunction. Tuberkuloz ve Toraks. https://europepmc.org/article/med/31414644
Public Health and Chronic Disease. (2021). American Public Health Association. https://www.apha.org/~/media/files/pdf/factsheets/chronicdiseasefact_final.ashx
Arslan, S., Yildiz, G., Özdemir, L., Kaysoydu, E., & Özdemir, B. (2018). Association between blood pressure, inflammation and spirometry parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NIH, National Library of Medicine; The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6325439/
Balkissoon MD MSc, R. (2018). Stem Cell Therapy for COPD: Where are we? NIH, National Library of Medicine; Journal of the COPD Foundation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6190524/#targetText=Exogenous%20human%20lung%20stem%20cells,capable%20of%20curing%20COPD%20patients
Bowler MD, R., PhD. (2009). 10 Tips for Managing COPD. National Jewish Health. https://www.nationaljewish.org/health-insights/living-with-copd/managing-copd
Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPD. (2018). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9451-nutritional-guidelines-for-people-with-copd
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). (2022). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8709-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd
10 Most Common Chronic Diseases in Older Adults: Tips to Prevent and Manage. (n.d.). Daily Caring. https://dailycaring.com/prevent-and-manage-the-10-most-common-chronic-diseases-in-older-adults/
Pocket Guide to COPD Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention. (2018). Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/WMS-GOLD-2018-Feb-Final-to-print-v2.pdf
Greger MD, M. (2012). Treating COPD With Diet. NutritionFacts.org. https://nutritionfacts.org/2012/06/07/treating-copd-with-diet/
Howley, E. (2017). How Are Heart Disease and COPD Connected? U.S. News & World Report/Health. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-07-28/how-are-heart-disease-and-copd-connected
Janchote, C. (2019). A Low-Carb Diet Can Help COPD Sufferers. National Emphysema Foundation. http://www.emphysemafoundation.org/index.php/about-uss/privacy/83-copd-emphysema-articles/472-a-low-carb-diet-can-help-copd-sufferers
MedlinePlus. (2022). Heart Failure. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html
Respiratory illness and schizophrenia. (2015). Questioning Answers. https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2015/05/respiratory-illness-and-schizophrenia.html
Rawal, G., & Yadav, S. (15 C.E.). Nutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review. NIH, National Library of Medicine, Journal of Translational Internal Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4936454/
Scoditti, E., Massaro, M., Garbarino, S., & Toraldo, D. (2019). Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment. NIH, National Library of Medicine; Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627281/
Scoditti, E., Massaro, M., Garbarino, S., & Toraldo, D. (2019). Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment. NIH/PubMed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627281/
St. Florian, I. (2009). Nutrition and COPD - Dietary Considerations for Better Breathing. Today’s Dietitian. http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/td_020909p54.shtml
St. Florian MS RD, I. (2009). Nutrition and COPD - Dietary Considerations for Better Breathing. Today’s Dietitian. https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/td_020909p54.shtml
Tomasic, I., Tomasic, N., Trobec, R., Krpan, M., & Kelava, T. (2018). Continuous remote monitoring of COPD patients—justification and explanation of the requirements and a survey of the available technologies. NIH, National Library of Medicine; Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857273/
Toraks, T. (2019). An underestimated comorbidity of COPD: Thyroid dysfunction. Europe PMC. https://europepmc.org/article/med/31414644
Vaughan, A., Frazer, Z., Hansbro, P., & Yang, I. (2019). COPD and the gut-lung axis: the therapeutic potential of fibre. NIH, National Library of Medicine; Journal of Thoracic Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6831926/
Whiteley, P. (2015). Respiratory illness and schizophrenia. Questioning Answers. https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2015/05/respiratory-illness-and-schizophrenia.html
WHO. (2021). Chronic diseases are the major cause of death and disability worldwide. WHO. http://www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/media/Factsheet1.pdf
Winwood, R. (2018). The Ketogenic Diet for COPD Part 1. COPD.net. https://copd.net/living/ketogenic-diet/
Chronic respiratory diseases. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/chronic-respiratory-diseases#tab=tab_1