Have COPD? Better nutrition can help you breathe easier.

Breathe in and breathe out. Repeat. Easy, isn’t it? That is unless you have breathing problems due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Then every breath can be a challenge. COPD is a group of diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis that block airflow and create breathing problems. However, the right nutrition can help you breathe easier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more have the chronic condition but aren’t diagnosed. People with COPD have a hard time breathing due to swollen or blocked airways. They can also be malnourished, meaning they don’t get enough — or they get too much — of the nutrients their bodies need. There isn’t a cure for COPD but there are ways to manage the disease.

How COPD affects the body

Our bodies convert the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe into two things: energy to fuel our bodily functions and carbon dioxide, a waste product which we exhale.

If you have too much carbon dioxide in your system, you may feel weak. Our bodies create more carbon dioxide, the waste product, when metabolizing carbohydrates. Metabolizing fats creates the least carbon dioxide. That’s why people living with COPD may need to eat fewer carbohydrates and more fat to ease their breathing.

Breathing is harder for people with COPD because the muscles they use to breathe can require up to ten times more calories to function than someone without COPD. That extra calorie expenditure can lead to unhealthy weight loss in some COPD patients.

Finally, when a person with a chronic condition like COPD is malnourished, they don’t have enough energy to heal, support heart and lung function and fight off infections that can lead to hospitalization.

6 nutrition tips for living with COPD

Anything that can help someone with COPD breathe easier is important. Nutrition is a great place to start. If you or a loved one has COPD, understanding nutritional guidelines can help avoid malnourishment and support a healthier body. Remember to consult with your clinician before making any dietary changes.

Try to follow these six nutritional recommendations from the American Lung Association.

1. Pick the right proteins — Healthy proteins help build stronger muscles, including the respiratory muscles used to breathe. Smart protein choices include eggs, fish, milk, nuts, poultry, beans and cheese.
2. Get the right balance of carbs — Choose complex carbohydrates like vegetables, fruits and whole grain breads. Be sure to consume the right amount for your health condition as carb needs vary.
3. Boost the fiber — Aim for 20-30 grams of fiber daily from fresh produce, nuts and seeds.
4. Choose healthy fats — Depending on your weight and condition, you may need more fat in your diet. If your doctor advises that, be sure to opt for healthier plant-based fats without cholesterol like corn, canola or safflower oil. Avoid trans fats and saturated fat in processed and fried foods.
5. Cut the salt — Too much salt can increase swelling and that can increase blood pressure which can damage the heart and arteries. Try to limit your salt intake both in the salt you add to food and the amount of processed food you eat.
6. Manage your fluids — Drinking enough water helps boost hydration and can thin extra mucus, a common problem for people living with COPD. Aim for about 6-8 glasses of water (eight fluid ounces each) per day.

Mom's Meals^® can help

Living with a chronic disease like COPD can make everyday activities like meal planning and preparation difficult.

Mom’s Meals medically tailored meals take the hassle out of mealtime with quality nutrition for better health and well-being:

• Have ready-to-heat-and-eat meals delivered direct to your home — no shopping, no prep work
• Enjoy delicious meals designed by registered dietitians and professional chefs that are aligned with evidence-based dietary guidelines and focus on balanced portions of lean proteins, grains, vegetables and fruits
• Choose from nine condition-specific menus including Protein+, lower-sodium and heart-friendly options
• Select every meal in every delivery, from a range of traditional and culturally inspired meals designed to please the palate, so you know you’ll get the meals you enjoy most

DISCOVER YOUR MEAL CHOICES