Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that causes breathing difficulties and other complications. Symptoms of COPD include wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough. The right food, along with medications, helps treat the condition. Here are the top foods to avoid for COPD patients.

1. Pickles and fermented foods
Most fermented foods are processed using high amounts of salt. Salty items are one of the worst foods to avoid for COPD patients. Salt causes water retention in the body, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Pickles and all kinds of canned and fermented foods have to be completely avoided when you have COPD.

2. Fried foods
Fried foods contain a lot of fat, which is not easy to digest. Even individuals who do not have COPD can suffer from gas and acidity. When you have COPD, excess gas in the body can put pressure on the diaphragm, and this can make breathing difficult. If you want to eat fried foods, eat limited quantities, and do not go to sleep right afterward.

3. Dairy products
Dairy products are an important source of calcium. However, these fall into the category of foods to avoid for COPD patients. When any dairy product is consumed, the body produces a chemical called casomorphin that aids digestion. Casomorphin increases mucus and phlegm production in the body. The body removes excess mucus and phlegm by coughing and wheezing. People with COPD will struggle with these bouts of coughing and wheezing.

4. Processed meat
Processed meat may be cheaper and easier to handle. These are, however, preserved using a chemical called nitrate. While nitrate is unhealthy in a lot of ways, it is especially bad for the lungs. Stay away from processed meat, cold cuts, and cured meat, and choose fresh lean meat instead.

5. Acidic foods
Acidic foods can cause heartburn. Heartburn is a condition where the stomach acid flows back to the esophagus, causing an intense burning sensation. Heartburn can make the symptoms of your lung infections worse.

6. Gassy fruits
Some fruits like apples, melons, and apricots fall under the foods to avoid for COPD patients because they are gassy in nature. They can cause bloating and gas, which, in turn, can lead to breathing problems.

7. Lentils and legumes
Another category of foods that can cause bloating and gas in the body is lentils and legumes. The below foods can cause gas-formation inside the stomach, and hence they are considered unhealthy for people with COPD.

• Beans
• Corn
• Leeks
• Onions
• Peas
• Cabbage

Stay away from all these foods to avoid COPD, and you will start seeing better results with time. Along with these diet changes, drinking enough water, eating smaller meals, and practicing low-intensity workouts all help, too.