15 Foods to Avoid With COPD

Bloating can negatively affect COPD patients by pushing on the esophagus, making it more difficult to breathe. Because fried foods cause both bloating and excess gas, it is recommended that they skip the fried foods altogether.

This includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy and similar green leaf vegetables. These vegetables are extremely gassy during digestion and cause excess bloating.

Soda is never a healthy component of any diet because it has zero nutritional value. However, in this case, soda contributes to dehydration, which can thicken mucus and also causes excess bloating and gas. Water is always the best rule of thumb.

Using a pinch of salt here or there during cooking is not a problem for COPD patients. However, using salt in larger amounts or eating foods high in sodium can create a problem quickly. Salt causes people to retain water, which puts pressure on the esophagus, making breathing difficult.

Drinking and eating dairy products can cause breathing difficulties. Dairy creates, thickens, and increases mucus, which makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of. It is suggested that almond or soy milk are the better choices if you must have that bowl of cereal in the morning. 

Deli meats and other cured meats such as ham and bacon contain additives called nitrates that can make COPD symptoms worse. Although smoking tobacco products is the main cause of COPD, enough consumption of nitrates can lead to developing COPD as well.

Alcohol is dangerous for COPD patients because alcohol naturally slows down breathing rate in normal people. For COPD patients it can be disastrous. In addition to slowing down breathing, alcohol also thickens mucus, making it more difficult to cough it up.

Sulfites is the word of the day, folks. Sulfites are an additive that are put into some foods in order to create a longer shelf life. Shrimp is one of those foods. Sulfites can trigger a narrowing of your bronchial tubes, making it increasingly harder to draw breath. Stay away from shrimp and any other foods that may contain this additive if possible.

Eggs, nuts, wheat, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, and shellfish are the biggest allergen culprits. Food allergies are usually diagnosed early on, so as a COPD patient you should already know what you’re allergic to. However, if you seem to have breathing issues after eating any one of these foods, it is possible that you may have developed an allergy to it.

COPD patients are already at a higher risk for developing GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and heartburn. This is because it’s easier to get air trapped in the chest cavities with COPD. COPD patients are even more at risk for developing GERD if they are smokers. Therefore, most citrus fruits are on this list of foods to avoid because of their ability to cause heartburn or acid reflux.

Yes, sadly coffee made this list of foods to avoid, regardless of some of its healthier side effects. Sorry, coffee addicts! The coffee bean is highly acidic and as such can cause acid reflux, which leads to trouble breathing. We suggest that if they can’t cut it out of their diet completely (we understand!), that COPD patients limit their intake.

Although chocolate in limited amounts can be okay for COPD patients, we advise strict moderation. Unfortunately, the cocoa bean is also naturally acidic and can trigger acid reflux, making COPD patients highly uncomfortable and possibly fighting for breath.

Most fruit juices are packed with sugar, and sugar is one of the foods that COPD patients should try to limit. Sugars are a source of refined carbohydrates, which as we’ve discussed, create more carbon dioxide in your blood and/or lungs.

Although it's true that you should consult your physician before beginning any medication at all, with COPD it is doubly true since many medications such as Motrin or Advil, some estrogens, and over the counter cough, cold, and asthma medications can have an adverse effect on COPD patients.

Pizza, as well as red spaghetti sauce and salsa, are items that COPD patients should avoid whenever possible. Tomatoes are an acidic citrus fruit associated with GERD. Their acid can get into the lungs, worsening COPD symptoms—triggering an acute and serious flare up of symptoms.