Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEat for EnergyChoose Easy-Chew FoodsEat Small, More OftenClear Your AirwaysGo SlowEat UprightUse Pursed-Lip BreathingDrink Last
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Eat for Energy
Choose Easy-Chew Foods
Eat Small, More Often
Clear Your Airways
Go Slow
Eat Upright
Use Pursed-Lip Breathing
Drink Last
If you havechronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), you likely experiencedyspnea, or shortness of breath. This can make many activities uncomfortable, even causing shortness of breath while eating.
Those who experience this may not only find mealtime unpleasant, but stressful and exhausting.
If you are finding it challenging to eat properly with COPD, try these seven tips for avoiding shortness of breath when eating.
Zelma Brezinska / EyeEm / Getty Images
Because some people with COPD are thin or even malnourished, it’s best to choose foods that are high in calories. This can keep your energy levels normal and positively impact your breathing.
Try filling your plate with healthy proteins, such as lean meats, fish, and foods with plant-based fats such as coconut, olives, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
Likewise, be sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, as they will give you the nutrients you need to fight infection and minimizeinflammation.
What to Eat When You Have COPD
Choose Easy-to-Chew Foods
Foods that are hard to chew are also difficult to swallow. This puts you at greater risk forchoking,aspiration pneumonia, and even death.
Excess chewing can also zap your energy levels, making it impossible for you to finish your meal.
Eating foods that are easy to grind up will help you conserve energy so you retain more for breathing.
Choosing tender, well-cooked meat, rather than tougher cuts, and well-cooked fruits and vegetables (rather than raw) may help.
On the days you are exceptionally fatigued, consider aliquid meal, like a whole-food, protein-rich smoothie, or a liquid meal replacement or nutritional supplement, such as Ensure or Boost.
Opt for Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Eating more frequently means you’ll require less food at each sitting, resulting in less labored breathing while you eat.
Shifting to smaller meals can also reduce the pressure in your stomach after eating, making it easier to breathe while also reducing the risk ofheartburn.
Clear Your Airways Before Dining
Effective airway clearanceis an important part of COPD management and can be especially beneficial before meals.
When done on a regular basis, airway clearance techniques can help remove sputum (mucus) from the lungs. This can help you breathe more easily and feel better overall.
There are a few different airway breathing techniques you can perform, including:
Why Do I Experience Shortness of Breath After Eating?
Eating too fast not only interferes with yourdigestionand causes you to eat more than you should, but it can drain you of energy, making breathing during meals that much more difficult.
The next time you sit down to eat, aim to make your meal last at least 20 minutes. Try:
Eat While Sitting Upright
Forego dining on the couch in favor of sitting at the kitchen table.
Lying down or slumping while eating can place added pressure on yourdiaphragm.
Pursed-lip breathing is abreathing techniquethat is very helpful to use when you become short of breath. It can also help reduce the anxiety associated with dyspnea and allow you to finish a meal.
Perform pursed-lip breathing when you feel short of breath during meals and you may be surprised at what a difference it can make.
Save Beverages Until You’re Done
When you drink liquids during your meals, you may fill up quickly andfeel full or bloated, which can thenlead to difficulty breathing.Try waiting until the end of your meal to drink your beverages.
Of course, if you need to sip water while you eat to make food go down easier, do so.
In addition, avoidbubbly drinks, especially sugary sodas, as sugar may cause inflammation and carbonation may worsen your breathing.
A Word From Verywell
Eating should be a pleasurable activity, and nutrition is an essential component of living well with COPD. If you are finding it difficult to eat because of shortness of breath from your lung condition, speak with your healthcare provider in addition to trying these strategies. You may need to be tested forsupplemental oxygenuse and you may benefit from seeing a dietitian or nutritionist.
Acute and Chronic Shortness of Breath
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.COPD symptoms and diagnosis.National Emphysema Foundation.The importance of good nutrition for chronic lung condition patients.Developmental disabilities association.Aspiration.American Lung Association.Nutrition and COPD.COPD Foundation.Breathing techniques.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.COPD symptoms and diagnosis.National Emphysema Foundation.The importance of good nutrition for chronic lung condition patients.Developmental disabilities association.Aspiration.American Lung Association.Nutrition and COPD.COPD Foundation.Breathing techniques.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.COPD symptoms and diagnosis.National Emphysema Foundation.The importance of good nutrition for chronic lung condition patients.Developmental disabilities association.Aspiration.American Lung Association.Nutrition and COPD.COPD Foundation.Breathing techniques.
American Lung Association.COPD symptoms and diagnosis.
National Emphysema Foundation.The importance of good nutrition for chronic lung condition patients.
Developmental disabilities association.Aspiration.
American Lung Association.Nutrition and COPD.
COPD Foundation.Breathing techniques.
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