The American Lung Association recommend the following types of food for people who he COPD:
Complex carbohydratesComplex carbohydrates contain long chains of sugar molecules. The body takes time to break down these molecules. As such, complex carbohydrates provide a relatively sustained release of energy.
Foods that contain complex carbohydrates include:
fresh fruit and starchy vegetableswhole grainswhole grain bread and pastabeans and lentilsIf a person with COPD wants to gain weight, eating a variety of complex carbohydrates alongside healthful sources of fat and protein can help.
Alternatively, if a person with COPD has extra body fat to lose, replacing refined carbohydrate sources with complex carbs, protein, and healthful fat can promote weight loss.
Fiber-rich foodsAccording to the American Lung Association, a person with COPD should aim for around 20–30 grams of fiber each day. Foods that contain a good amount of fiber include:
beans and lentilsfruits and vegetablesnuts and seedswhole grains, such as oatsvegetablesProteinA study in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease found that people in Vietnam with COPD had increased protein needs. Including protein-rich foods at meals and snacks may help with improving nutritional status and quality of life.
Foods that are high in protein include:
meat and poultryfisheggsnuts and seedslegumestofucheesemilkProtein sources can help increase muscle mass and help people gain weight if needed. Alternatively, adding high-quality protein sources to meals and snacks or swapping refined carbohydrate sources with healthful proteins may promote weight loss.
Mono and polyunsaturated fatsMono and polyunsaturated fats are healthful fats that can help lower a person’s cholesterol. Some foods that contain these fats include:
certain vegetable oils, such as olive oil and ocado oilcertain fish, including salmonnuts and seedsocadosAccording to the American Lung Association, a person with COPD who is looking to gain weight should try adding these fats to meals. If they are looking to lose weight, they should limit their intake of all fats, including mono and polyunsaturated fats.