Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that can result in symptoms like shortness of breath, and one of the best ways to cope with COPD is through dietary changes. Diet keeps the body weight in check, which is very important for COPD patients, and a nutritional diet can boost the immune system, keep the lungs healthy, and maintain energy levels. Here are five useful dietary tips for people with COPD:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables
  Including a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits is one of the most effective dietary tips for people with COPD. Fruits and veggies are packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber that keep the body healthy, and they’re rich in natural antioxidants that promote healing and reduce inflammation. Some vegetables to include in the regular diet are beets, carrots, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and potatoes, and fruits like bananas, grapes, blueberries, and peaches are good for COPD patients.
• Include complex carbohydrates
  Carbs are the leading source of energy, but complex carbohydrates like whole grains should be included in the diet instead of simple carbohydrates. The energy gained from complex carbohydrates lasts longer, whereas simple carbohydrates only give a burst of energy for a short period. Also, while excess carbohydrate consumption can increase body weight and aggravate the symptoms of COPD, a lack of carbohydrates keeps you underweight and results in low energy, increasing the risk of other infections and diseases. So, it’s best to get professional guidance on the number of calories to include in the daily diet. Additionally, switching to sources of complex carbohydrates like peas, lentils, oats, barley, quinoa, and beans is a beneficial dietary tip for people with COPD.
• Add proteins and healthy fats
  Protein promotes healing and helps the body produce immune cells, so up the intake of high-protein foods like seafood, poultry, eggs, and beans. On the other hand, fats help digest food easily, but fried food is best avoided as it contains unhealthy fats. Instead, make your diet rich in healthy fats by including nuts, avocados, seeds, coconut and coconut oil, olives and olive oil, and fatty fish.
• Avoid excess salt
  Eating foods with too much salt or sodium content causes water retention in the body, which directly affects the ability to breathe. Experts say that most sodium intake comes from the food itself and not from the added salt. So, it’s important to be picky while shopping and choose snacks that contain no more than 300 mg of sodium in one serving and whole foods that contain less than 600 mg of sodium. Healthy alternatives like unsalted herbs and spices can be used to flavor food instead, or you can consult a dietician for low-sodium salt substitutes.
• Avoid dairy products
  It has been observed that dairy products like cheese and milk can thicken the phlegm, so avoiding dairy products can be a helpful dietary tip for people with COPD. Having said that, these foods might not be problematic for everyone with the condition, and consuming dairy products is not a problem if it does not thicken the phlegm.