Like any other disease, diet plays a significant role in the lives of COPD patients. Following a proper diet plan and consuming healthy food items can help you to manage your symptoms and keep your health at an optimum condition. It can also help you to increase your energy levels, which is quite essential for people with COPD.

Therefore, to lead a healthy life, you would have to know as much as you can on the aspects of foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients. Here is some information that can help you with it.

Which foods and drinks should a COPD patient avoid?
With COPD, you will have to avoid a few food items for the betterment of your condition. The following are some of them:

• French fries
  Almost any type of fried food, especially French fries, can cause excessive gas and bloating. If the gas production increases, then it would become difficult for you to breathe properly.
• Sweetened beverages
  Carbonated or highly sweetened beverages are yet another cause for excess gas and bloating.
• Processed meats
  Processed meats are high in salt and nitrates. Therefore, if you consume them daily, then they might worsen the condition of your heart.

Which fruits are good for the lungs?
Numerous fruits can enhance the health of your lungs. Among them, apples, apricots, and berries are considered to be the notable ones. All of these fruits are high in vitamins A and E, which are great for your lungs and digestive system. So, if you are maintaining a list of the foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients, then adding these fruits in it can be a great idea.

What are the best ways to cleanse the lungs?
With COPD, your lungs start producing a high amount of phlegm. Therefore, to keep your lungs healthy, you would have to keep the airways clean. For that, you can drink herbal tea, which is excellent for lung health. You may also opt for some methods such as deep coughing and huff coughing, to bring out the mucus.

Which beverages are ideal for the lungs?
Various types of fruit juices such as apple, orange, and lemons, are great for the lungs. Aside from that, a few caffeinated drinks such as tea, can also be ideal for your cause. However, drinking fresh and clear water is known to be the best for COPD patients.

Is eating fish bad for COPD?
Fish, especially fatty fish, are great for COPD patients as they can increase your lung function. They are high in vitamin C and E, which can also keep the airways of your lungs clear and reduce the occurrences of breathing difficulties. So, if you are looking to add some must-have food items in your list of foods to eat and avoid for COPD patients, then you can add fatty fish in it.

These are some of the essential things that you should know about the best and worst foods for COPD patients.