Your body requires a lot of energy when suffering from COPD. Therefore, you would have to consume foods that have a high amount of calories. If you fail to do so, your body may start using drawing healthy fats to produce energy, which can lead to severe weight loss.

However, with COPD, there are many food items that you cannot eat, as they are harmful. Due to this, most doctors make a list of foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients when treating them.

Foods that you should avoid when suffering from COPD:

• Cured meats
  Cured or preserved meats, such as ham, hot dogs, cold cuts, and bacon, generally contain a high amount of nitrate components. Therefore, eating them daily can cause the symptoms and condition to worsen. Aside from that, there is a chance that the condition may cause other lung diseases.
• Salt
  Salt or food items that are high in salt can prompt your body to retain a huge amount of water. Therefore, it can cause breathing problems as well. Also, salty foods contain a large amount of potassium that can lower the efficiency of your COPD medications.
  So, if you are making a list of foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients, make sure you add salty foods in the must-avoid section.
• Cruciferous vegetables
  Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbages and cauliflower, are great sources of fiber and minerals. However, they can also cause gas and bloating, which can be quite problematic for COPD patients.
  So, if you have been diagnosed with COPD, restrict the consumption of these foods.
• Citrus fruits
  Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are enriched with vitamin C. However, due to their acidic nature, they can also promote acid reflux if you over-consume them. Also known as GERD, this gastrointestinal condition can cause breathing problems if you have COPD. If you notice any typical signs of acid reflux after eating oranges, it would be best to avoid them completely.
• Dairy products
  According to doctors, milk is known to be quite nutritious for COPD patients. So, when listing down the foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients, most people usually add them to the must-eat section.
  However, if you consume dairy products or drink milk daily, your lungs would start producing excess mucus. This high amount of mucus production can cause breathing issues, which amplify the severity of other symptoms as well.

Living with COPD can be quite challenging for anyone, especially if you are unaware of the dietary restrictions. So, if you have been recently diagnosed with COPD, consult a dietitian to make a diet plan.