Asthma and Your Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid

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What does diet have to do with asthma?

If you have asthma, you may be wondering if certain foods or changes to your diet could help you deal with your condition. There is no strong evidence that what you eat affects how often or how bad your asthma attacks are.

At the same time, eating fresh, healthy foods may help both your asthma and your health in general.

Some research suggests that the rise in asthma cases in the last few decades may be linked to people eating more processed foods instead of fresh foods like fruits and vegetables. Even though more research needs to be done, there doesn’t seem to be a single food or nutrient that can help with asthma symptoms on its own. People with asthma might do better with a well-balanced diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables.

When it comes to allergies, food also plays a role. When your immune system overreacts to certain proteins in foods, it can cause food allergies or intolerances. This can sometimes lead to asthma symptoms.

Asthma and being overweight are linked

In a report from the American Thoracic Society (ATS), it is said that being overweight is one of the main reasons why people get asthma. People who are overweight may also have asthma that is worse and harder to treat. Taking care of your condition may be easier if you eat well and stay at a healthy weight.

Foods you should eat more of

There is no specific diet for asthma, but there are some foods and nutrients that may help support lung function:

1. Vitamin D

The Vitamin D Council says that children ages 6 to 15 may have fewer asthma attacks if they get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D comes from the following:

salmon
milk and fortified milk
fortified orange juice
eggs

If you know you’re allergic to milk or eggs, you might not want to get vitamin D from them. Asthma can be a sign of allergic reactions to food.

2. Vitamin A

A 2018 Trusted Source study found that kids with asthma tend to have less vitamin A in their blood than kids who don’t have asthma. When kids with asthma had more vitamin A in their bodies, their lungs worked better. These are good places to get vitamin A:

carrots
cantaloupe
sweet potatoes
romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach are examples of leafy greens.
broccoli
Apples

An apple a day may keep asthma away. A review of research in the Nutrition Journal found that eating apples was linked to a lower risk of asthma and better lung function.

3. Bananas

A study that was published in the European Respiratory Journal found that bananas might help kids with asthma stop wheezing. This could be because the fruit has antioxidants and potassium, which may help the lungs work better.

4. Magnesium

A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that children ages 11 to 19 with low magnesium levels also had low lung flow and volume. Kids can get more magnesium by eating foods that are high in magnesium, like:

spinach
pumpkin seeds
Swiss chard is a type of leafy green vegetable.
dark chocolate
salmon

Avoid these foods

Some foods can make asthma symptoms worse, so you should avoid them. But you should talk to your doctor before cutting out certain foods from your diet.

Sulfites

A type of preservative called sulfites may make asthma worse. You can find them in:

wine
dried fruits
food that has been pickled
maraschino cherries
shrimp
Lemon and lime juice in a bottle

Foods that make you fart

If you have acid reflux, eating big meals or foods that give you gas will put pressure on your diaphragm. This could make your chest feel tight and set off an asthma attack. Some of these foods are:

beans
cabbage
drinks with bubbles
onions
garlic
fried dishes

Salicylates

Some people with asthma may be sensitive to salicylates, which are in coffee, tea, and some herbs and spices. This is rare, but it does happen. Salicylates are chemical compounds that are found in nature, and they can sometimes be found in foods.

Ingredients made in a lab

Processed and fast food often have chemical additives like preservatives, flavorings, and colorings. Some asthmatics may be sensitive to or allergic to these man-made ingredients.

Common allergens

People who are allergic to certain foods may also have asthma. Some of the most common allergens are:

dairy products
shellfish
wheat
tree nuts

How to treat asthma

Most doctors will tell you to try to live a healthy life in general to help you deal with your condition. This can include things like eating well and working out regularly.

Diet and lifestyle changes are meant to help with the asthma treatment you are already getting. And you should take medicine for asthma. Even if you feel better, you shouldn’t stop taking your asthma medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Some traditional ways to treat asthma are:

inhaled corticosteroids
long-acting beta antagonists (LABAs)
Corticosteroids and a LABA are both parts of combination inhalers.
Oral leukotriene modifiers
fast-acting medications for emergencies
Medications for allergies
Immunizations for allergies
bronchial thermoplasty is a type of surgery that helps people with severe asthma who don’t get better with medicine.

Keeping asthma symptoms from getting worse

Prevention can go a long way toward controlling asthma symptoms. Since asthma can be life-threatening, it’s important to figure out what sets it off and stay away from it.

Many people with asthma are made worse by tobacco smoke. Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking if you do. If you live with someone who smokes, talk to them about giving it up. Make sure they smoke outside until then.

You can do more things that might help stop asthma attacks if you:

Make a plan for dealing with your asthma with your doctor and stick to it.
Get a pneumonia and flu shot every year to avoid getting sick with something that could make your asthma worse.
Take your asthma medicine as your doctor tells you to.
Keep track of your asthma and pay attention to how you breathe to see if it’s getting worse.
Dust mites, pollution, and allergens like pollen can be found outside. Use an air conditioner to protect yourself from these things.
Put dust covers on your bed and pillows to reduce how much dust you are exposed to.
You can cut down on pet dander by grooming and bathing your pets regularly.
When you go outside in the cold, cover your nose and mouth.
Use a humidifier or dehumidifier to make sure that the humidity in your home is just right.
Clean your house often to get rid of mould spores and other allergens that can be found inside.

Outlook

Your asthma symptoms may get better if you eat better, but it depends on a lot of things.

For instance, the overall effect may depend on your overall health, how consistently you make changes, and how bad your symptoms are. Most people who start eating healthier notice that they have more energy, at the very least.

A healthier diet may also have advantages like: