15 Foods to Avoid When You Have Breathing Problems.
You probably never gave this a thought. But to eat, you need to breathe. Chewing and digesting food — like anything else you do with your body — use oxygen. That means you need to work harder to breathe in enough of it while you eat.
At the same time, the food in your stomach crowds your lungs and diaphragm, which makes their job harder. And conditions like COPD or asthma may make your lungsbigger, leaving less room in your chest.
Your breathing problems also may leave you too tired to eat. But it’s especially important to eat well, so you can stay strong and avoid illnesses and infections that can worsen your health.
Stay away from gas-causing foods. Bloating will also lessen the space for your lungs. So avoid or limit these 10 foods below:
- Beans and lentils
- Onions, leeks, shallots, and scallions
- Garlic
- Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts
- Melons
- Peas (like split and black-eyed)
- Cucumbers
- Root vegetables such as turnips, radishes, and rutabagas
- Raw apples
- Asparagus
- Corn
- Carbonated sodas and juices
- Fried or greasy foods
- Spicy foods
