When you’re living with a chronic lung condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease (ILD), just breathing can feel like hard work. What many people don’t realize is that the fuel your body runs on, the food you eat, can play a vital role in how you feel and function every day. Nutrition is more than just calories, carbohydrates and protein; it can be a powerful tool in managing lung disease and improving your quality of life.
Sarah Wagner, MPH, RD, LD, a clinical registered dietitian at Memorial Hermann in Texas, who works with clients in both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, knows this firsthand. “Your body is working harder to breathe, so you need to nourish yourself with enough protein to fuel your muscles, whether it’s recovering from a flare up of your disease or just going about daily life,” she says.
A Personal Approach to Nutrition
Registered dietitians can provide a range of services tailored to people with chronic health conditions. If you are living with a chronic lung disease, your first encounter with a dietitian may be during pulmonary rehabilitation. There, you will learn healthy eating habits to manage your lung condition and improve your overall health. This includes understanding the importance of a balanced diet, the best diet for COPD, how to manage potential nutritional challenges associated with lung disease and specific strategies to improve breathing and energy levels while eating.
However, there are benefits to seeking a more personalized approach to nutrition. “No two lung diseases are alike, and neither are the people who have them,” says Sarah. “I see someone with emphysema who’s underweight and another with bronchiectasis who can’t eat well because of mucus production. The needs are so different. That’s why individualized care matters.”
In addition to medical conditions, Sarah often helps clients navigate other challenges like food insecurity and co-existing conditions such as diabetes. “Pulmonary patients often have more social needs, and many are juggling multiple conditions that come with different dietary recommendations,” she explains.
Nutrition Should Be a Team Approach
Despite the benefits of meeting with a registered dietitian, referrals for clients living with a pulmonary disease to see a dietitian one-on-one aren’t as common as they are for people living with diabetes or kidney disease. “Insurance plays a big role,” Sarah notes. “If someone has another diagnosis like diabetes or obesity, they’re more likely to get coverage for nutrition counseling.”
Sarah recommends talking to your healthcare provider to see if you would benefit from an individualized session with a dietitian and checking with your insurance to see if your visit is covered. In her setting, Sarah is fortunate to be able to collaborate closely with other team members to ensure clients get well-rounded care. While she may only meet with a client once, other team members help reinforce nutrition goals.
Practical Tips
“Sometimes people come in not really knowing how nutrition affects their lungs, but after that first conversation, it opens the door to more questions and more understanding,” she says. Overall, Sarah emphasizes a plant-forward approach, promoting fruits, vegetables and antioxidant-rich foods to help reduce inflammation, but each person should talk directly with their healthcare provider to discuss what is right for them. “You’re using nutrition to fuel your cells, your body, your breath. That’s what I teach my clients,” she says.
Sarah encourages clients to think in terms of balance rather than strict rules. “I don’t necessarily recommend a vegetarian diet, but I do recommend shifting toward a plate that’s half fruits and vegetables,” she says. “Move away from refined sugars, like sugary drinks, cookies and breakfast cereals, and toward whole, colorful foods that support your body’s needs.” And if fresh produce isn’t accessible? “Canned fruits and vegetables can still be part of a healthy diet. It’s better to include them than go without.”
Make Nutrition Part of Your Lung Care Plan
Nutrition may not be the first thing that comes to mind when managing a lung condition, but it can make a real difference. If you or someone you love is living with a chronic lung disease, talk to your healthcare provider about nutritional needs for COPD patients and how nutrition can support your breathing and overall health. Ask whether meeting with a registered dietitian, someone who can help tailor a plan to your specific needs and lifestyle, might be right for you.
“A registered dietitian can help you find what works for you--your condition, your routine, your resources,” Sarah says. “It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them fuel their best life.”
Learn more about nutrition and COPD or talk to lung health experts at the Lung HelpLine if you have questions about the importance of good nutrition in COPD management.
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Blog last updated: August 26, 2025
