Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes that carry oxygen to and from your lungs become inflamed. Acute bronchitis often develops after a cold or respiratory infection and improves within a few days with no lasting affects other than a cough. In contrast, chronic bronchitis is characterized by repeated bouts of bronchitis, or the constant irritation or inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Common symptoms associated with acute or chronic bronchitis include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, fever, sore throat and fatigue. Treatment for bronchitis focuses on relieving symptoms. Avoiding certain foods during bouts of chronic bronchitis can help you feel better and breathe easier.
Fried Foods
The most common fried foods include fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, potato chips and doughnuts. These foods are rich in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. Eating these foods is generally considered unhealthy because they are associated with the increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Consuming fried foods can promote inflammation in your body, making it harder to breathe. When you have difficulty breathing, you may not feel like eating. It is very important to eat nutrient-dense foods, being sure to get the most nutrients for the calories you eat. Therefore, you should avoid foods that supply little or no nutritional value.
High Fat Dairy
Dairy products are a good source of calcium, vitamin D and protein, important nutrients in your diet. It is important however to select low-fat and non-fat varieties rather than full fat products. Eating fatty foods can make it more difficult to breathe and promote excess mucous production. Choose skim milk, low-fat yogurt and reduced fat cheeses whenever possible. Yogurt contains friendly bacteria that will help restore good health and manage your symptoms.
Salt
Eating salty foods does more than just increase your blood pressure. It can also interfere with your ability to breathe. Therefore, during periods of acute bronchitis you should limit your salt intake, according to Project Angel Food, an organization that supports nutrition for seriously ill people. Excess sodium in the diet causes your body to retain fluid. The bronchial tissues absorb this fluid, causing increased inflammation and thicker mucous production. To prevent this vicious circle, you may want to remove the salt shaker from the table and replace salt with herbs and spices while cooking. Additionally, it is important to avoid high-sodium foods such as frozen meals, canned soups, pretzels, potato chips, crackers and processed meats like bacon and sausage.
Refined Sugar
Foods that are rich in refined sugar include regular soft drinks, sweetened beverages, sugary cereals, frosting, syrup, candy, chocolate and commercially prepared baked goods such as cakes, pies, cookies, brownies and muffins. While these foods provide you with excess sugar and calories, they offer no other nutritional value. Eating refined sugars in excess will cause weight gain and make it more difficult to breathe. You should consume nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains in place of refined sugars.
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