Health and Diet

Kathy Conway - Registered Dietitian
Dianne Johnson - Respiratory Therapist
Meeran Manji - Pulmonary Nurse

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
It is important to eat a well-balanced diet to nourish the body providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, carbohydrate, fat and fiber. Choose a variety of foods from each of the four food groups, which include fruits and vegetables, grain products, milk and dairy products and meat and alternates. This helps to achieve optimal nutritional status. A registered dietitian can provide a personalized meal plan to help meet individual protein and energy requirements.

Maintain a Desirable Body Weight 
Maintaining a desirable body weight while being well nourished is very important for patients with C.O.P.D. This will contribute to increasing energy levels, improving exercise tolerance, improving resistance to infections, aiding in fighting infections, reducing hospitalizations and improving general physical and emotional well being.                                      

Overweight
Excess abdominal fat makes it more difficult for the lungs to fully expand, which makes breathing difficult. The heart and lungs have an increased workload when supplying oxygen to all parts of the body.   Achieving a desirable body weight with gradual weight loss is desirable. This will contribute to an improvement in breathing and general health.  

Underweight
Factors limiting intake can result in malnutrition and may include; early satiety, anorexia, bloating, issues with meal production and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).  It can be difficult to meet increased energy requirements resulting from increased workload on the lungs for breathing which can contribute to malnutrition.  Recommendations from a Registered Dietitian for the addition of nutritional supplements into a healthy meal plan may be indicated to contribute to meeting caloric requirements. A gradual weight increase is desirable and will result in improved respiratory function, exercise tolerance, resistance to infection and energy level. A Registered Dietitian can help you achieve your desirable body weight, whether you are overweight or underweight.

Eat Smaller more Frequent Meals
Eating 5 to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones will help with energy conservation. Fatigue results from the stomach filling up too much and causing shortness of breath. When the stomach is not as full, the lungs have more room to expand, increasing the ability to breathe better.

Limit Salt Intake
Too much sodium can cause fluid retention and may interfere with breathing. Limiting salt intake by not adding it at the table and limiting intake of processed and prepared foods are ideal.  Using salt-free spices and herbs can provide flavour to food without the added sodium.

Relax and Enjoy your Food
Eating in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere is best.  Conserve energy by choosing meals that are easy to prepare, resting prior to eating and taking adequate time to eat without rushing.

Avoid Bloating
Eating slowly, chewing food well and swallowing as little air as possible will reduce discomfort resulting from bloating. Limit intake of carbonated beverages and gum chewing. Certain foods may cause bloating. Examples may include raw apples, beans (kidney, black, navy etc.) cabbage, raw onion, radishes, broccoli or other foods.  Using trial and error to detect and eliminate bloating foods is useful.

Incorporate Calcium containing foods 
This mineral has several important functions in the body. These include building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, blood pressure maintenance, blood clotting, contracting and relaxing muscles including those in the lung and heart and supporting nerve function.
The best sources are the following low fat dairy products; milk, yogurt and cheese. Lactose reduced products are also available. Other sources include kale, bok choy, collard greens, broccoli, sardines and canned salmon with bones, fortified soy beverage and tofu made with calcium sulfate.
A Registered Dietitian can recommend the number of servings required for your individual needs. Your physician or Registered Dietitian may recommend a calcium and vitamin D supplementation during a consultation.

Reduce your Risk of Osteoporosis/Bone Loss
Long-term use of ingested steroid medication can increase the risk of osteoporosis. This makes an individual more susceptible to fracture.  Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is very important. Reducing sodium and caffeine intake will reduce calcium loss in urine.

Adequate Fluid Intake
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Milk and unsweetened juice are also beneficial fluid sources, however, a Registered Dietitian can suggest an appropriate number of servings.  Intake of these fluids will promote adequate hydration and help thin out mucus secretions, making it easier to cough up and expectorate.         
It is important to limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol as they increase the need for fluids.               

Help Prevent Constipation
A diet low in fiber, fluids and a lack of physical activity usually cause constipation, however, other factors may be involved. Constipation can cause shortness of breath. Incorporating foods that are a good source of fiber into the diet, increasing fluid intake and increasing activity as tolerated can contribute to improving elimination and breathing. 

Avoid too many Sweets and Desserts
Sweets and desserts produce more carbon dioxide than other foods. Eating too many of these foods can make breathing more difficult, as the lungs must work harder. Limiting intake of these foods will help you breathe better.