How Can Nutrition Help You Manage COPD? Here’s What You Need to Know
Understanding how nutrition, weight and muscle strength can support COPD management
Nutrition can play an important role in living well with COPD. Both being underweight and being overweight can create additional challenges, affecting energy levels, mobility, muscle strength and breathing.
In this video, Mrs. Isabelle Heyens explains why maintaining a healthy weight matters in COPD and how a dietitian can help develop a nutritional approach suited to your individual needs.
In this video, you’ll learn:
- How being underweight or overweight can affect COPD
- Why maintaining muscle mass is important
- How excess weight can affect breathing and mobility
- How a dietitian can assess your nutritional needs
- Practical ways to support energy intake and muscle strength
- Why protein-rich, energy-dense foods may be helpful when underweight
- Why gradual weight loss is recommended when managing obesity
Watch the video below to learn more about how nutrition can support your health, strength, and quality of life when living with COPD.
Why does nutrition matter in COPD?
Maintaining a healthy weight and muscle strength can help support your overall health and ability to stay active with COPD. Losing weight can sometimes also mean losing muscle, which may affect strength and mobility.
For people who are overweight or living with obesity, gradual weight loss may help reduce some of the physical challenges associated with excess weight.
How can a dietitian help?
There is no one-size-fits-all diet for COPD. A dietitian can assess your weight, diet, and body composition and provide personalised advice based on your individual needs.
Please note: This video is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
