For patients with COPD, the condition is predominantly characterized by deficiency syndromes. Symptoms include shortness of breath upon walking, excessive sweating, and aversion to cold. Furthermore, weight loss exacerbates these deficiency syndromes and is a significant risk factor for mortality in COPD patients. Therefore, the dietary focus for COPD patients should be on conditioning and nourishment to ensure an adequate energy supply.
First, decoctions of Job's tears, lily bulb, Prince Ginseng, and American Ginseng can be consumed as a tea.
Second, drink more congee. Congee can effectively regulate the spleen and stomach, and also replenish Qi, helping to gradually improve the patient's physical condition.
Third, drink plenty of water. Water can help dilute the mucus accumulated in the bodies of COPD patients, facilitating its expulsion and alleviating infection symptoms. Unless advised otherwise by a doctor, COPD patients should not drink less than 2000 milliliters of water daily.
Fourth, adopt a habit of eating smaller, more frequent meals. This can help prevent bloating and shortness of breath. In terms of food choices, prioritize nutrient-dense foods like milk, eggs, fish, and bean products to replenish energy and boost the immune system. Additionally, ensure adequate intake of Vitamin C and Vitamin A by consuming more fruits, vegetables, and animal liver.
Dietary Therapy Recommendations
●Astragalus and Chinese Yam Soup: 30g of Astragalus root, 60g of Chinese Yam, and an appropriate amount of sugar. Boil and consume. This soup is known for its benefits in tonifying the lungs, strengthening the spleen, and replenishing Qi.
●Goji Berry and Jujube Millet Congee: Cook fresh millet with an appropriate amount of goji berries, Chinese Yam, and jujubes to make a congee. This congee helps to nourish the spleen and stomach, and benefit the liver and kidneys.
●Ginseng Congee: Use an appropriate amount of sea cucumber and 60g of glutinous rice to make a congee. This congee has the function of tonifying the kidneys, replenishing essence, and nourishing blood.
●Rock Sugar and Honey Radish Soup: 25g of white radish, 30g of rock sugar, an appropriate amount of honey, and one large bowl of water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to half a bowl. Take in the morning and evening. Suitable for those with lung-heat and thick phlegm.
●Carp and Brown Sugar Sweet Almond Soup: One carp, 9g of sweet almonds, and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Remove the gills, internal organs, and scales from the carp. Simmer with the almonds and brown sugar. Drink the broth and eat the fish. Used for the conditioning and treatment of chronic bronchitis characterized by insufficient Yang energy, cough with phlegm.
●250g each of raw radish, fresh lotus root, and honey; 2 pears. Chop the radish, lotus root, and pears, then squeeze their juice. Mix in honey and consume. For those with a hot cough, consume it raw. For those with a cold cough, steam the mixture first, then add 3-5 drops of ginger juice before consuming. Suitable for patients with chronic bronchitis and cough.
●3-6g of fried mustard seeds, 6-9g of fried radish seeds, 6g each of dried tangerine peel and licorice. Decoct in water and drink. Suitable for patients with chronic bronchitis, cough, and excessive phlegm.