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The official blog of the Lung Institute.

Having trouble finding food that doesn’t upset your breathing? Here’s…
3 COPD-Friendly Recipes from the Lone Star State
For those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) it can be difficult finding food that doesn’t aggravate their symptoms. Worse, finding food that’s not only healthy, but doesn’t hinder their breathing. On the road to better health, promoting a healthy diet is critical to improving the quality of one’s life, and in that spirit, we here at the Lung Institute have compiled a list of Texas COPD Recipes that are not only delicious, but healthy.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for those with COPD whose breathing can burn up to ten times the average caloric rate. Yellow-Orange fruits rich in antioxidants are key to healthy lung development, while fruits like raspberries, pineapple, papayas, and citrus are loaded with vitamins A, C and E.
Fruit Salad-
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries
- 2 cups strawberries, quartered
- 2 large mangoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup finely chopped mint
Instructions
Mix the ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve chilled.
Serves eight.
Lunch
Whether losing weight or gaining it, maintaining one’s optimal weight is crucial to good health. As recommended by the American Lung Association, a good source of protein such as chicken is recommended at least twice a day.
Aloha Chicken Salad-
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 2 cups diced celery
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Two 11-ounce cans of mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 pound seedless green grapes
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Combine. Refrigerate for 1 hr. Serve chilled.
Serves 8.
Dinner
As we’ve previously stated in our Quick COPD Recipes article, salmon is one of the healthiest seafood options available. A perfect Recipe for Lung Detox, salmon is rich in omega-3s and is known to decrease lung inflammation significantly.
Bourbon Glazed Salmon-
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4(6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions
Combine the first seven ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag.
Add fish to bag and seal tightly.
Marinate in refrigerator for 1hr and 30m, turning occasionally.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray.
Add fish and marinade to pan cooking fish for 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and garnish salmon with leftover sauce.
Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon green onions and 3/4 teaspoon sesame seeds.
Serves 4.
Although maintaining one’s health through recommended nutritional guidelines will help ease the symptoms of COPD, good diet alone is not a cure. And though there is no cure for COPD, we here at the Lung Institute offer a method of treatment shown to improve pulmonary function and quality of life to our patients.
If you or a loved one suffers from COPD, or any lung disease, the Lung Institute may be able to help with a variety of cellular treatment options. Contact us at 888-745-6697 to find out if you qualify for cellular therapy.
Tried one of our recipes? Have one better? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and comments on our Texas COPD Recipes below.