Bronchial asthma is a fairly complex disease that occurs for a variety of reasons and can be completely at any age. A diet for bronchial asthma cannot be a therapeutic method, but it helps to stabilize the course of the disease and avoid relapses.
Many doctors recommend that patients adhere to the usual diet, excluding foods that can cause an allergic reaction in a particular person. A strict hypoallergenic diet should be followed only during an exacerbation of the disease. If a certain product provoked a food allergy, then it is necessary to immediately and permanently remove it from the daily diet.
The main purpose of the diet
Many patients are interested in what is the best diet for bronchial asthma and what are the main goals of its implementation. The main goals of the diet in the presence of bronchial asthma are:
- decrease in pneumonia;
- stabilization of metabolic processes in the lungs;
- reduction of bronchospasm;
- improvement of immunity.
In addition, a properly selected diet helps to reduce allergic reactions and remove allergens that trigger an attack.
Basic principles of nutrition for patients with asthma
The nutrition of patients should be complete, varied and balanced, especially during the period of remission. A diet for asthma must certainly contain a sufficient amount of protein, including animal origin. Be sure to consume meat and fish, dairy and sour-milk products.
The lack of proteins in the body affects the state of the respiratory system, so you do not need to completely abandon meat and seafood, especially if they are not allergic.
There are certain restrictions on the consumption of animal fats, so soups need to be boiled in a secondary broth so that it is less oily and concentrated. Moreover, any dairy products can be consumed without restrictions, if there are no other health problems and contraindications.
It is important to pay attention not only to the daily diet, but also to the diet. An overstretching of the stomach is considered to be one of the main risk factors for bronchial asthma, therefore, you should not allow overeating, it is also worth eating food in small portions, and drink the liquid a few hours after eating. In addition, the last food intake should be no later than 2 hours before bedtime.
Features of a diet for asthma
The main cause of exacerbation of asthma attacks may be the penetration of foreign animal proteins into the body. Therefore, it is important to limit the intake of animal-type proteins, even if the patient has intolerance to plant foods.
It is necessary to limit the intake of foods high in purine. It is important to follow a special hypoallergenic diet, especially during an exacerbation period, which implies the exclusion of seasonings, spicy and excessively salty foods.
There are several types of hypoallergenic diet, which is why it is selected individually for each patient. Smoking and alcohol consumption are strictly contraindicated.
Diet for asthma involves the consumption of large quantities of cereals and vegetables. Dishes are mainly boiled, steamed and stewed. Do not eat too cold and hot dishes.
What to eat with asthma
Diet for asthma in adults and children is an important component in the treatment of this disease. Food consumed should be balanced and contain a large amount of vitamins. It is necessary to spend fasting days in the absence of contraindications. This will help improve the condition of the mucous membrane of the respiratory system, which helps to get rid of attacks of suffocation.
With bronchial asthma, it is allowed to consume the following foods:
- lean meat and fish;
- vegetables and fruits;
- dried fruits;
- dairy products;
- juices;
- pasta;
- tea;
- cereals.
If there are no contraindications, then you can use almost all products in small quantities and at the same time adhere to a low-calorie diet. Regardless of the presence of exacerbations, you need to consume a lot of foods rich in pectin, as well as dietary fiber.
To prevent seizures and improve the condition, you must consume the following foods:
- strong coffee;
- figs;
- ginger tea;
- decoction of flax seeds.
You need to eat a large number of foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
What is forbidden to eat with asthma
Diet for asthma also implies the exclusion of certain foods from the diet. It is undesirable for bronchial asthma to consume the following foods:
- nutritional supplements;
- salt;
- spicy seasonings;
- fat rich broths;
- semolina;
- eggs
- nuts
- citrus;
- alcohol.
It is also worth limiting the intake of foods with a high level of histamine, such as tomatoes, smoked meats, cheese, caviar, spinach. The use of salt and sugar should be in strictly limited quantities, since these products contribute to the occurrence of edematous processes in the lungs and bronchi, which can lead to asthma attacks.
Hypoallergenic diet for asthma
A hypoallergenic diet for bronchial asthma implies the exclusion of a product from the diet that provokes the occurrence of an allergic reaction. In addition, it is worthwhile to carefully evaluate the peculiarity of the body's reaction to major allergens. These products include:
Diet for allergic bronchial asthma in adults should be compiled strictly individually, taking into account intolerance to individual products or dishes that are prepared from them. With any manifestation of the pathology, it is necessary to switch to a hypoallergenic diet.
Diet for allergic bronchial asthma implies strict adherence to all the rules and restrictions in nutrition. The use of specialized diets is necessary only during periods of seizure, when the product that provoked an allergic reaction is precisely known.
What food allergens can trigger bronchial asthma
It is very important to adhere to clinical nutrition if asthma is accompanied by an additional food allergy, which enhances the symptoms of the disease. For each patient, the diet is compiled separately, taking into account intolerance to individual food products.
For patients with intolerance to certain foods, a diet is made with precise instructions as to which foods to remove from their daily diet. In addition, certain substances can provoke an allergy, in particular:
- plant pollen;
- house dust;
- animal hair.
During an exacerbation of any type of allergy, the diet should be extremely strict, and the diet should be selected by a specialist.
Diet for asthma in children
The diet for asthma in children should be carefully thought out taking into account the characteristics of the body and the presence of contraindications. The nutrition of the child should be balanced and complete. The diet must include vegetables, fruits, proteins, cereals.
Children should consume a lot of foods rich in magnesium daily, as this is the only natural remedy that dilates the bronchi and helps prevent cramping. Such products are rich in magnesium:
- nuts
- green leafy vegetables;
- dried fruits.
In the diet of a child suffering from asthma, it is desirable to include a large number of oily fish, in particular, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring. In the body of a child suffering from asthma, there is an insufficient amount of vitamins of groups B and C, so it is very important to include foods rich in them in the daily diet.
During the period of exacerbation, the child needs to drink plenty of water and diluted natural fruit juices, as this will help reduce mucus secretion.
Table number 9 for asthma
Diet for asthma (table number 9) aims to eliminate the symptoms and helps prevent relapses. Such a diet helps to fully satisfy all human needs for nutrients and nutrients. All food needs to be steamed, baked or boiled.
If you follow a diet number 9 you can eat:
- bread with wholemeal flour or bran;
- lean meats;
- hateful soups;
- any vegetables and cereals;
- dairy products;
- eggs
- unsweetened fruits and berries;
- vegetable and butter;
- tea, rosehip broth, unsweetened juices, water.
From the diet, you need to completely remove fried foods, flour products, sweets and sugar, coffee, cocoa, honey, sweet fruits and berries, citrus fruits, fatty meats, smoked meats, rich concentrated soups, canned food, pickles, seasonings, alcohol.
By following a diet, you can achieve prolonged remission and significantly improve well-being. However, the diet should be prescribed in conjunction with conservative treatment. This will provide the best results.