Have you ever wondered what the connection between asthma and your diet is? There must be a time when you must be curious about which foods and drinks to avoid with asthma or which food could help you manage your condition. No evidence proves that a specific food diet has a good effect on asthma attacks. However, eating nutritious and fresh foods might improve your asthma symptoms and your overall health.
Research shows an increase in the number of asthma cases because of the shift from fresh foods to processed foods. Asthmatic people may benefit from eating well-balanced diet food, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
Food is also related to allergies. Food intolerance and Food allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to the specific protein present in your food. Sometimes this food intolerance can result in asthma symptoms.
How Is Obesity Related To Asthma?
Obesity is one of the major risk factors for asthma. Moreover, obese people will have more severe asthma, which will be even difficult to treat. To manage your asthma condition, one should maintain a healthy weight and eat foods good for asthma.
What Food To Eat During Asthma?
There is no specific asthma diet, but there are a few foods and drinks that can help you support the functioning of your lungs.
Vitamin A
Children with asthma have a lower level of vitamin A than children without asthma. A higher level of vitamin A in asthmatic children means better lung functioning. Good food source of vitamin A are:
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Leafy greens like kale, romaine lettuce, and spinach
Vitamin D
When the children get enough vitamin D, it will reduce the number of asthma attacks. Sources of vitamin D include:
- Milk and fortified milk
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Fortified orange juice
If you have milk or eggs allergies, then you must avoid them. Since allergic symptoms from the food, you have allergies can be marked as asthma.
Bananas
As per the survey, bananas may decrease wheezing in children with asthma. Due to the antioxidant and potassium content of bananas, your lung functioning might improve.
Apples
An apple may be the best food for asthma, or you can say the best fruit for asthma. It’s like an apple a day not only keeps the doctor away but even keeps asthma away. According to some research, apples can increase lung function and can lower the risk of asthma.
Magnesium
Studies show that children around age 11 to 19 with low magnesium level will also have low lung flow and volume. To improve the magnesium of kids, they should be given foods rich in magnesium, such as:
- Salmon
- Spinach
- Dark Chocolate
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Swiss Chard
Another good way for treating asthma attacks is by inhaling magnesium through a nebulizer.
Read related– Common Asthma Triggers and How Can You Avoid Them
What Foods to Avoid With Asthma?
If you are asthmatic, then you should avoid foods that trigger asthma symptoms. Go through the list to see which foods to avoid with asthma:
Food that Causes Gas
Eating foods that can cause gas or a large meal will put extra pressure on your diaphragm, particularly when you have acid reflux which might trigger asthma or cause chest tightness. These include foods like:
- Fried Foods
- Beans
- Garlic
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Carbonated Drinks
Sulfites
It is the type of preservative that might worsen your asthma and can be found in:
- Dried Fruits
- Wine
- Shrimp
- Pickled Food
- Maraschino Cherries
- Bottled Lemon and lime juice
Artificial Ingredients
Some asthmatic people may be allergic or sensitive to processed and fast foods containing flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives.
Salicylates
Some asthmatic people may be sensitive to salicylates, naturally occurring chemical compounds found in foods like tea, coffee and a few spices and herbs.
Common Food Allergens
People who have food allergies have a likely chance to have asthma, and the common allergens include:
- Shellfish
- Dairy Products
- Tree Nuts
- Wheat
Asthma Treatment
Most pulmonology recommends that an overall healthy lifestyle, healthy asthma diet and practicing breathing exercises regularly may help control your asthma.
Lifestyle and diet changes will surely relieve your existing asthma symptoms. Don’t stop using the doctor’s prescribed medicine even if you are feeling better. Traditional asthma treatment usually includes:
- Long-Acting Beta Antagonists (LABAs)
- Inhaled Corticosteroids
- Combination Inhalers comprises of corticosteroids and a LABA
- Fast-acting rescue medications
- Allergy shots
- Allergy medications
- Oral leukotriene modifiers
- Bronchial thermoplasty
Key Takeaway
Eating a healthy and asthma diet may improve your asthma symptoms, as it depends on many factors. Having a healthy diet is beneficial to you in many ways:
- Lower Blood Pressure
- weight loss
- Lower Cholesterol
- Improved Digestion.
Always remember what food to eat during asthma and what foods to avoid with asthma because then only you can have control of your asthma.
Speak to a trained dietitian over Meddo for personalised advice on planning a healthy diet so that you easily manage your asthma.
