Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases, the most common being chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Eating the right kind of food can increase your energy levels when you suffer from this condition. When you start to lose a lot of pounds, you may bring back some comfort foods into your diet. But you need to have small portions of nutrient-rich foods to stay healthy and fit. Herein, we discuss the top foods that will not only boost your energy but help you deal with COPD symptoms.

High-calorie foods
It is possible to experience extreme fatigue in this condition, and you would need to get energy from calorie-rich nutrients. Foods like desserts and mashed potatoes will not help. You need to opt for energy-boosting foods for COPD like lean beef, chicken, baked fish, and tofu to get your daily dose of proteins.

Oatmeal with milk
A good way to start the day is eating oatmeal for breakfast. Oat is rich in fiber and easy to eat, it is an excellent source of iron, calcium and vitamin A. Also, it is known to taste delicious when mixed in milk.

Cheese
You can add cheese to rice, vegetables, and potatoes to increase the calorie content and nutritional value of meals. Cheese helps to provide calcium for bone strength because bones are prone to be damaged from COPD medications.

Fiber
It is important to add fiber to your diet, and this is not only obtained from breakfast foods. Lentil soups, dry beans, whole-grain bread, fresh vegetables, and fruits are good sources of fiber for every meal.

Healthy fats
You need to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats to replace hydrogenated or saturated fats in the meals. You can find healthy fats in eggs, nuts, avocados, coldwater fish like salmon and sardines, and olive oil.

Zinc
Peas, beans, and legumes are not only high-fiber foods but are also rich in zinc, which is an important mineral while considering a wholesome COPD diet. A sufficient amount of zinc in the patient’s diet can help to improve the symptoms. Chickpeas can be a good addition to the meals.

Increase fluid intake
You need to include an assortment of liquids to keep yourself well-hydrated. You must, however, drink only non-caffeinated fluids that can keep the mucus thin in your airways and make it easy for you to clear the lungs.

Milk
When you need to put on weight, you should opt for milk because the vitamin D and calcium in it will also make your bones stronger. You can even drink milk multiple times a day.

Nuts
People with COPD hay have drastically low BMI, which puts them in danger. This is why they must eat high-calorie foods every day to maintain normal body weight. A good way to gain pounds is to include energy-boosting foods for COPD that are high in calories like nuts. Creamy dressings, sauces, etc. may also provide calories but these can contain saturated fats, so it is best to consult a dietician.

Foods with vitamin D
Research shows that if you are deficient in vitamin D, COPD symptoms may become worse. While you can get vitamin D from sun exposure, this may not be enough. So, you need a diet that is rich in vitamin D to supplement this; fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and tuna can help.