Pneumonia is an illness in which the lung cells, alveoli, swell up and get filled with fluid. Nevertheless, there can be a number of underlying causes. It can develop into a potentially fatal illness and usually starts as a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

As soon as a person experiences severe symptoms of pneumonia, such as difficulty in breathing, they should see a pulmonologist or other lung expert. While no home remedy can cure pneumonia, after its critical phase surpasses, one needs to focus on a recommended pneumonia diet to recover faster.

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Pneumonia Foods To Eat

4 foods to include in pneumonia diet chart that promote the health of the lungs and help speedy recovery are:

1. Whole Grains

Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and barley have good carbohydrate content to give the energy one needs to recover. The selenium content present in whole grains boosts the immune system as well.

2. Green Leafy Vegetables

Spinach, kale, and other green leafy vegetables contain antioxidants that help with the healing of respiratory infections like pneumonia faster.

3. Protein-rich Foods

Nuts, beans, seeds, chicken, and fish like salmon have anti-inflammatory properties. A protein-rich diet helps build new tissues in the body and replace the damaged lung tissues affected by pneumonia.

4. Yoghurt

Yoghurt has excellent probiotics which promote good bacteria in the gut, and also suppress the growth of pneumonia-causing pathogens.

5. Water

Apart from the above 4 best food to prevent pneumonia, drinking water is very important. It is important to keep oneself hydrated with water and other healthy liquids like tender coconut water. This loosens the mucus that builds up in the lungs during the pneumonia infection. Water also flushes out toxins from the body.

Food to Avoid in Pneumonia

While we have established pneumonia food to eat, let’s know about the food to avoid in pneumonia:

1. Processed Meats

According to studies, the nitrites used in the production and preservation of processed meats may cause inflammation and stress in the lungs.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol contains sulphites, which can exacerbate the symptoms of pneumonia. Also, ethanol commonly found in beer, wine, and liquor affects lung cells.

3. Sugary Drinks

According to a study, adults who consume sweetened soft drinks more than 5 times a week are twice likely to have chronic bronchitis. While children are more likely to have asthma. Both chronic bronchitis and asthma can worsen your pneumonia symptoms.

4. Foods High in Sodium

Consuming too much table salt or salty packaged foods can aggravate the symptoms of pneumonia like shortness of breath.

Conclusion

The probability of getting pneumonia is quite common when there is a hygiene challenge and a higher risk of predisposition to infected individuals. If symptoms like breathlessness, fever, and chest pain continue to disturb you, it is prudent to get yourself diagnosed without any delay. While a pulmonologist would guide you on medications, it is imperative to consult a dietitian for recommendations on a pneumonia dietary management plan to recover faster. Dieticians can help you determine the best food for pneumonia patients. 

Consult Apollo's Dieticians