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Nutrition for COPD
Key Information
- The Energy Cost: Breathing with COPD uses significantly more energy than normal.
- The Challenge: Feeling breathless can make eating more difficult.
- The Risk: This can lead to an "energy gap," causing weight loss and reduced muscle strength.
3 Tips for Fueling Your Lungs
1. Eat Smaller Meals, More Often
- Avoid Bloating: Large meals can make breathlessness worse.
- The Strategy: Have 5–6 smaller meals or snacks throughout the day instead of 3 large meals.
2. Focus on Protein
- Muscle Health: Protein supports the muscles used for breathing.
- What to Eat: Include protein with each meal.
- Examples: Meat, fish, eggs, beans, and dairy products.
3. Choose High-Energy Foods
- Close the Gap: High-calorie foods can help maintain your weight.
- Fortify Your Food: Add ingredients like butter, cream, or cheese, or choose full-fat drinks.
What Happens Next?
If you are concerned about weight loss or need tailored dietary advice, please contact us.
Further Information
- Understanding COPD
- COPD Inhalers
- Living Well with COPD: Building Your Toolkit
- COPD & Smoking
- Your Annual COPD Review
- Winter-Proofing Your Lungs: 3 Steps to Stay Well
For more information about COPD, including symptoms, treatment, and living with COPD, please visit the NHS website.
Last reviewed: 01 January 2026
Next review due: 01 January 2029
Providing NHS Services
Telephone: 01727 853107