Patients with COPD are often accompanied by varying degrees of malnutrition, and the incidence rate is 20%~60%. The incidence of malnutrition in patients with COPD in the stable stage is 20%~35%, and the incidence of malnutrition in patients with acute exacerbation is as high as 70%.
Zhao Hongmei, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at China-Japan Hospital, told us that clinicians generally pay attention to patients' nutrition and give them some suggestions for a balanced diet. So, how should COPD patients eat to get enough nutrients?
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How do COPD patients eat? What to eat?
The diet of COPD patients emphasizes "two highs and one low": high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrate; Also pay attention to the supplementation of trace elements, vitamins A and C, and calcium. Improve fat quality and reduce saturated fatty acid intake, preferably high in monounsaturated fatty acids; To provide enough energy to meet the basal energy expenditure, you can eat small and frequent meals, but be nutritious, eat less cooking procedures, easily digestible food, reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, etc. Scientifically proportioned three major nutrients (18-20% protein, 30-40% fat, 50-55% carbohydrates, and 50% protein in a state of stress).
Director Zhao Hongmei said that it is not recommended for COPD patients to consume too many carbohydrates, such as rice, steamed buns, noodles, etc. Because carbohydrates are completely oxidized in the body to produce the most carbon dioxide, it is easy to cause or aggravate carbon dioxide retention, dyspnea, and even respiratory failure in COPD patients. Since the carbon dioxide produced by the complete oxidation of fat in the body is minimal, for COPD patients, fat intake can be increased, but not excessively.
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Carbohydrates only provide some energy, so patients will be allowed to consume a small amount of carbohydrates, increase protein supply, and replace them with high-quality proteins, such as old hens, eggs, shrimp, lean meat, fish, beef, dairy products, soy products, etc.
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COPD patients can eat more high-vitamin, high-fiber foods, such as cod liver oil, carrots, tomatoes and yellow-green vegetarian fruits; calcium-rich food oils, fish, meat, mandarins, bananas, yams, rape, preserved fruits; Supplement food vitamins to prevent constipation: mustard greens, cabbage, spinach, celery, bananas, etc.
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At the same time, salt intake should be limited, and the daily salt intake should be < 6g. In addition, it is necessary to limit chemical condiments such as soy sauce and monosodium glutamate; Restriction of preserved and puffed foods; Choose fresh fish, meat, vegetables, lemon, green onion, ginger, pepper, raw garlic, low-salt soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, etc.
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To prevent the patient from developing abdominal bloating, the diaphragm muscles move upwards and obstruct the normal gas exchange of the lungs. Patients with COPD should eat less gas-producing foods, such as fried foods, beans, carbonated drinks, beer, milk, onions, cabbage, spicy cabbage, red peppers, etc.
One more point to emphasize: be sure to quit smoking and alcohol!!
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Is there an optimal match for three meals a day?
Director Zhao Hongmei said that on the whole, in line with the guiding principle of making patients achievable, different patients choose different programs, if some patients eat a small amount of food, in the case of not eating so much, they should eat a little more fine; Some patients don't like to eat meat, but they must consume protein, then they can take some protein powder, such as whey protein, etc., the muscle-building effect is also better, easier to absorb, and you can also add a little nutrients and nutrient solution to ensure that the body needs calories, so that it will not consume muscle. Eat small and frequent meals, you can eat 5~6 meals a day, don't eat too much at each meal, you can rest before meals, exercise moderately after meals, and eat less to avoid bloating and shortness of breath.
Examples of recipes
Image source: Official account "respiratory field"