No diet is specifically made for asthma patients. However, when you eat a healthy diet, it can prove to be extremely beneficial. Also, certain foods can cause allergies and asthma symptoms. So, to make sure that you don’t aggravate symptoms and live a healthy life, here’s a diet for asthma that you should follow.

Foods to eat

These foods will not treat the condition, but adding these foods to your diet can improve the functioning of your lungs.

• Vitamin D-rich foods

As per the Vitamin D council, a Vitamin D-rich diet for children aged between 6 and 15 years of age can reduce asthma attacks in them. The following foods are loaded with essential vitamins:

• Fortified milk
• Milk
• Fortified orange juice

In case you are allergic to dairy, you can try other sources of vitamin D as being allergic can trigger asthma symptoms.

• Vitamin A-rich foods

In a 2018 study, it was found that children suffering from asthma had lower levels of vitamin A in their bodies. Among children, it is also seen that having vitamin A in high quantity in the body meant better functioning of the lungs. Thus, vitamin A should be added to a diet for asthma, and you can add the following foods:

• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Spinach
• Romaine lettuce
• Banana
  A study showed that eating a banana was associated with less wheezing in children with asthma. Banana contains potassium and antioxidant that improve the functioning of the lungs.

Foods you shouldn’t eat

Several foods can trigger symptoms of asthma and should be avoided. But make sure you talk to your doctor before eliminating these foods from your diet.

• Sulfites

These are preservatives that aggravate asthma symptoms. Therefore, one should avoid the following foods.

• Pickled foods
• Wine
• Dried fruits
• Shrimp
• Lime and lemon juice which is bottled
• Salicylates

Some asthmatics can be allergic to salicylates found in spices, certain herbs, coffee, and tea. Salicylates are chemical compounds that occur naturally and, at times, can also be present in foods.

• Foods that make you gassy

When you eat large portions of foods that make you gassy, it can apply pressure on the diaphragm. This can lead to tightness in the chest and aggravate the symptoms of asthma. So, avoid the following foods.

• Fried foods
• Onions
• Beans
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Carbonated drinks

Now that you know about foods to include and exclude from a diet for asthma patients take due precautions and ensure that you stay away from any foods that trigger asthma symptoms. The best way to do so is to consult with your doctor.