How a Healthy Diet Can Impact COPD
Following a healthy diet when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is very important, yet it can be problematic when you are facing symptoms and complications. Lack of energy, poor appetite, financial burdens, changes in the sensation of taste, and frequent coughing and congestion can make eating less enjoyable and make healthy choices difficult.
Healthy foods can relieve symptoms and boost your energy levels, help prevent respiratory infections, and thin secretions. Maintaining a healthy weight will also allow your body to function well, and enhance your ability to breathe effectively and comfortably.
1. Eat Simple Foods
Prepare simple foods that do not consume excess energy. Consider making up a few meals ahead of time and storing them in the freezer for times when fatigue or illness prevent you from preparing healthy meals easily.
Take advantage of healthy packaged products and enlist the help of family and friends to aid with meal preparation. If you do use packaged foods, read labels carefully as many contain unhealthy additives and preservatives that could exacerbate symptoms of COPD.
Knowing the signs of a COPD exacerbation and a few tips for preventing one can help decrease the number, length and severity of your flare-ups.
