Usually, lung conditions like asthma or COPD are irreversible. They are progressive, and there is no cure. However, many ways exist to manage their symptoms and flare-ups. In addition to the medication and treatment, there are some foods to avoid with asthma and COPD patients. This can prevent one’s chances of a flare-up. What are these foods? Let us find out.

1. Fried foods
Food items, when fried, tend to become extra greasy, requiring extra effort to digest. The fat breakdown process requires a longer time to complete, causing a bloating sensation in the abdomen that can lead to discomfort. As a result, it gets difficult for one to take complete breaths. With every breath, the diaphragm hurts, possibly because of the additional gas released by the digestive juices.

Moreover, fried foods lead to weight gain. The extra fat accumulates in the torso area, increasing the breathing discomfort for patients. Some fried foods to keep out of the diet are deep-fried pockets, fried fish, fried chicken, onion rings, French fries, and jalapeno poppers. 

2. Acidic foods and drinks
Where the esophagus ends, a valve is formed via a ring of muscle. If this valve is not sealed, it frequently opens and causes the stomach acid to travel back to the esophagus, leading to frequent heartburn. If one experiences heartburn over two times a week, it is an indicator of acid reflux disorder.

For someone with a lung disorder, acid reflux will only aggravate the symptoms. Thus, it is vital to avoid consuming acidic drinks and fruits, such as tomato sauce, citrus fruit juice, spicy foods, and coffee. It will lower the acid reflux symptoms and keep asthma or COPD symptoms in check. 

3. Cruciferous vegetables
Even though cruciferous veggies are excellent sources of fiber and other essential nutrients, they can lead to bloating and gas. For someone with asthma or COPD, excess gas and bloating can increase pressure and make it hard to breathe. Thus, it is vital to cut out cruciferous vegetables or even lower their consumption. These vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and bok choy. 

4. Dairy products
In some people, dairy, including cheese and milk, tends to make their phlegm thicker. However, it is not the case with everyone. So, one can avoid dairy products if it is aggravating flare-ups; else, it can be continued.

5. Chocolate
Chocolate also has caffeine in it, which can intervene with one’s ongoing medication for asthma or COPD. One can consult the doctor about chocolate consumption. In some cases, a person will be asked to limit, while in other cases, they might be instructed to keep it in their foods to avoid asthma and COPD list.