Asthma is a chronic health condition where the airways narrow, become swollen, and produce extra amounts of mucus. It makes breathing difficult, and causes shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. The condition can be minor is some people, but for others it is a major ailment that can often interfere with normal daily activities. It can sometimes lead to asthma attacks may be life threatening.
The treatments for asthma include medication, and learning what the triggers are. Certain foods should be avoided if you have asthma, and a proper asthma diet should be considered:
1. Sulfites
Foods containing sulfites are triggers for asthma attacks. These include wines, dried fruit, pickled foods, shrimp, bottled lime or lemon juice, and maraschino cherries. These foods are known to have an adverse effect on those who have asthma.
2. Eggs or dairy
Eggs and dairy products are not recommended for people who have asthma and allergies. Asthma produces mucus, and these foods could act to increase the amount of mucus in the airways. Shellfish, wheat, and tree nuts have the same effect as dairy products.
3. Coffee, tea, and spices
Foods containing salicylates may cause problems for people with asthma. This is very rare, but some asthma sufferers may have a sensitivity to coffee, tea, certain spices, and herbs. A Salicylate is a chemical compound that naturally occurs in some foods, and act as a trigger for asthma attacks.
4. Preservatives and artificial flavor
Other foods to avoid if you have asthma are foods containing artificial ingredients, coloring, chemical preservatives, and flavorings. These ingredients may be found in processed foods, and fast foods. It is very important for an asthma sufferer to be mindful of the food they consume when eating at fast burgers or chicken restaurants. Many people with asthma may also have allergies to some of these ingredients.
5. Gas-inducing foods
Foods that give you gas should be avoided. These include beans, cabbage, onions, fried foods, garlic, and carbonated drinks. These foods can cause bloating which could make it difficult to breathe. This is well known to trigger an asthma attack in most people.
6. Food allergies
If you have any food allergies, avoid those foods completely. Allergies can cause wheezing and coughing of an asthma attack. This could be made worse if you exercise after eating because it causes an exercise-induced asthma attack.
Stay connected with your physician in the case that something out of the ordinary should occur. There are different treatment options for the various types of asthma, and you want to ensure that what you are doing continues to work. The safest step to take is to talk with your doctor about food choices, and what you should not include in your diet. There is no specific diet for asthma, just being mindful of what may trigger an attack, and eliminating these from your diet will help to greatly reduce the number of attacks, and the symptoms. Eat healthy, and exercise regularly. These are suggested lifestyle changes improve any health condition. There is no cure for asthma, but you can live healthier with it.
