Page 7 - Reedley Exponent 3-1-18 E-edition

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The Reedley Exponent A37 Thursday, March 1, 2018
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Eat Well, Breath Easy, Experience a Better Life
Would you be surprised if I told
you that food could affect your breathing? Knowing what to eat
is especially important to people who are diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). When you have COPD your lungs have limited ability to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide and it becomes more difficult to breathe. A person with COPD
can expend up to 50 percent more energy on breathing than healthy individuals. Large amounts of calories are used in the effort of breathing. We need food to supply us with energy for all the activities our bodies need to do. The right mix of nutrients can help you breathe easier and keep you from losing weight.
Eating a balanced nutrient-rich diet is critical to boost your immune system and decrease the possibility of infections. Foods such as low-fat
protein meat, complex carbohydrates, fresh
By Ro Linscheid
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When you have COPD you need to know there are foods to avoid. One thing to watch closely
is your salt intake. Salt causes fluid retention. It may increase blood pressure and the symptoms of COPD. Many prepared foods contain a lot of salt. Be sure to read the labels when you are shopping for pre-prepared food.
Eating foods that create gas and bloating can make breathing more difficult. When you experience gas and or bloating, especially when you have COPD, there is less room for the lungs to work. There is a long list of vegetables that
are known to cause gas and bloating. Everyone is different so you will have to understand what causes issues with you.
People with COPD tend to tire easily so
it is important to have healthy food on hand that is quick and easy to make. Maybe friends and or family can make up meals to freeze so you don’t have to spend time cooking.
I have used only COPD as an example of why
it is important to eat nutrient-dense foods. There are many more reasons to be mindful
of what you eat. Sierra View Homes Retirement Community works hard to serve nutrient-dense
food. More and more meals are cooked in our kitchen and not someplace far away only to be heated in our kitchen.
I have only touched the surface of COPD and nutrition. If you have been diagnosed with COPD, see your doctor and be referred to a registered dietitian to plan menus for your best diet. Education
is key to being able to live life to the fullest. Simple strategies can improve your nutritional well-being and help you maintain your strength and weight.
fruits and vegetables and foods rich in potassium give you a good basis for planning your diet. Meeting with a registered dietician can give you specifics. In retirement communities like Sierra View, a registered dietitian oversees and reviews the menus for residents.
When it is difficult to breathe, it can become difficult to eat. Fatigue, weakness and depression can interfere with
food intake. Difficulty breathing brings on fatigue and complicates meal times. Ilaria St Florian, a registered dietitian at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, says it is best to eat your biggest meal in the morning when you have the most energy and then eat
Now What?
small meals throughout the day to conserve energy. She also recommends people who have COPD should sit up for at least half an hour after eating to allow food to digest and lessen the pressure on the lungs. Hydration between meals is recommended to allow the mealtime
to be nutrition-rich as possible.
Popular protein food like chicken, lean meats, eggs, yogurt, fish, nuts and beans, as well as whole grains are good
to eat. It is important
to eat foods rich in antioxidants, calcium and vitamin D for
bone strength and anti- inflammatory properties. Foods such a fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein help to keep your pulmonary muscles
RETIRED...
Full Family Practice Physical Exams ❦ Women’s Health Pediatrics ❦ Immunizations
Weight Management ❦ Massage Chiropractic ❦ Holistic Health
Stefan Pentschev,
MD
Family Practice for over 40 yrs.
Joanne Beattie,
FNP-C
Family Practice for over 17 yrs. Specializing in depression and anxiety.
Sheri Cooley,
FNP-C
Family Practice. Specializing in Food Allergies, Nutrition and Supplements.
Brianna Edwards,
FNP-C
Family Practice. Specializing in Women’s Health & Pediatrics.
❦ Covered California ❦ Medi-Cal ❦ Medicare ❦ Most Insurance Accepted
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