Healthy COPD Recipes

Looking for something tasty that won’t add another notch to the belt?

As we’ve mentioned before finding a recipe that is healthy for those who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be elusive. For those with COPD, there seems to be a grocery list of foods and ingredients that cause exacerbations (symptoms flare-up).

Foods that fit within one’s diet while promoting pulmonary health are few and far between, so here’s a list of Healthy COPD recipes that will have you eating right without laboring your breathing.

3 Healthy COPD Recipes That Will Keep You Breathing Strong

Sweet and Tart Strawberry Salad

Let’s start off small: Strawberries. Not only are they one of the most popular fruits in existence, but they’re pretty healthy for you too. Serving as a natural antioxidant they’re thought to protect against inflammation, cancer and heart disease, while serving as an excellent source of vitamins C and K.

Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, it’s easy to see how strawberries have become one of nature’s most appreciated gifts.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds of fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
• 2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• In a large bowl, toss berries with sugar and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and pepper. Pour over berries and toss to coat. Divide berries among 4 serving bowls and serve.

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken

It’s a tough world in which to be a chicken. Consumed by nearly every culture, chickens are known as an excellent source of protein while being naturally low in sodium and high in vitamins like niacin, vitamin B6, B7, B12, iron and zinc. 

Eat your chicken grilled instead of fried for that signature taste at half the calories.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon steak sauce
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions

• Preheat the grill for medium heat.
• In shallow bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and steak sauce. Set aside a small amount of the honey mustard sauce for basting, and dip the chicken into the remaining sauce to coat.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken over indirect heat for 18 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until juices run clear. Baste occasionally with the reserved sauce during the last 10 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning!

Lemony Steamed Fish

Despite being consumed less than poultry, beef and pork, seafood is arguably one of the healthiest consumption choices you can make.

Low in fat but high in quality protein, fish are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins D and B2 which have been shown to lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Ingredients

• 6 (6 ounce) halibut fillets
• 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 pinch seasoned salt, or more to taste
• 1 pinch lemon pepper
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut 6 foil squares large enough for each fillet.
• Center fillets on the foil squares and sprinkle each with dill weed, onion powder, parsley, paprika, seasoned salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle lemon juice over each fillet. Fold foil over fillets to make a pocket and fold the edges to seal. Place sealed packets on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork–about 30 minutes.