In this sharepost
•    Feeling tired and over-full when eating
•    Water drinking and retaining fluids
•    Dairy products and mucous
•    Fiber
•    Vitamins and supplements

Here, in Part II of Eat to Breathe Better with COPD, we look at eight more commonly asked questions. For further information, ask your doctor about referring you to a registered dietitian (RD) for nutrition guidance and a personal action plan.


1. Why do I get so tired when I eat?
If you become exhausted while eating here are some tips that may help:
•    Take your time, chew slowly
•    Put your fork down after every few bites
•    Sit in a chair with good back support and sit up straight
•    Use pursed-lips breathing
•    Choose foods that are easy to prepare so you still have energy for eating
•    Ask a family member or friend to help with meal preparations
•    Check if you are eligible to receive Meals on Wheels
•    Freeze extra portions so you have a quick meal when you're too tired
•    Rest before eating so you can enjoy your meal
•    Eat your main meal earlier in the day
•    Wear your oxygen while eating


2. Why do I feel so full after a meal and find it even harder to breathe?
In COPD, lungs are often over-inflated, making them bigger, and longer, than they should be. This causes them to push down on the stomach. Likewise, a full stomach pushes up on the lungs. Eating frequent small meals – up to six per day – can help you feel more comfortable and put less stress on your system.

3. Do dairy products cause me to produce more mucous?
Yes and no. It does in some people, but not all. If you think that milk and other dairy products tend to either increase the amount of your mucous or make it thicker, try reducing dairy products for a while. If this results in less / and thinner mucous, then you should avoid them.

4. What’s the best thing to drink when you have COPD?
Even if you love your coffee, remember that good old water is the best thing you can drink for your health. If your doctor hasn’t restricted your fluids, and if you’re not underweight, try drinking at least 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day to keep mucus thin and easier to cough up. If you tend to get up at night to urinate, drink more of your water earlier in the day to avoid extra trips to the bathroom when you need to sleep.

5. What about salt / sodium and retaining fluid?
We just talked about the importance of drinking fluids, but some people with COPD who also have heart problems may need to limit their fluids. If you have a problem with swollen feet and legs, it may be due to extra fluid, forcing the heart and kidneys to work harder. One way to keep from retaining fluid is to decrease your intake of sodium, or salt. It is recommended that we consume no more than 2000 mg of sodium per day. Check with your doctor about your sodium intake.