If diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s necessary to keep a close watch on what one eats. While some foods help manage the symptoms, others lead to a build-up of gas and cause bloating or fluid retention in the body, making it difficult to breathe. Certain foods are genuinely part of healthy eating but are considered problematic for those with COPD. Therefore, it’s crucial to make a note of these food triggers for COPD. 1. Foods that cause bloating Bloating is one of the biggest problems for those with COPD. It leads to a build-up of gas, which, in turn, pressurizes the diaphragm. This can strain the lungs and result in shortness of breath. Many nutritious foods can cause both bloating and gas. Some of the well-known foods under this category include cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, Brussel sprouts, bok choy, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. These vegetables are rich in both vitamin A and C but are food triggers for COPD. One can switch to other foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and citrus fruits to derive these nutrients. Other culprits that easily cause bloating are foods such as bubbly sodas, fried foods, beer, and sugar-based items. It is best to steer away from fried foods because they take more time to digest, thereby leading to bloating.