COPD: Avoiding Weight Loss

Here are some ways to get more calories and protein to avoid weight loss when you have COPD.

Always talk with your doctor or a dietitian before you make changes in your diet.

• Eat high-calorie snacks.

  Snack foods that can help you add calories to your diet include:

  • Ice cream.
  • Pudding.
  • Cheese.
  • Nuts.
  • Custard.
  • Avocado.
  • Eggs.
  • Crackers with peanut butter.
  • Cereal with half-and-half.
  • High-calorie drinks like whole milk and milkshakes.
  • Try a liquid meal replacement, such as Ensure, Boost, or instant breakfast drinks. These might be options if you have trouble eating solid foods. They will give you both calories and protein.
• Add calories to a meal or snack.

  Making simple changes to the foods you already eat can help you add calories and protein to your diet.

  • Add an egg or egg yolk to meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, or similar foods. Be sure to cook the food after adding the egg.
  • Add powdered milk to creamed soups, scrambled eggs, pudding, potatoes, yogurt, and casseroles.
  • Add cheese to sandwiches, crackers, casseroles, soups, toast, and pasta.
  • Add extra vegetable oil or olive oil, mayonnaise, butter, or sour cream to sandwiches, bread, casseroles, soups, cooked cereals, pasta, potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
  • Grind up some nuts and sprinkle them on puddings, gravy, mashed potatoes, casseroles, salads, and yogurt.
• Add protein to your diet.
  • High-protein foods include:
    • Meat, fish, and poultry.
    • Milk and milk products. Add powdered milk to other foods (such as pudding or soups) to boost the protein.
    • Eggs.
    • Cooked dried beans and peas.
    • Peanut butter, nuts, and seeds.
    • Tofu.
    • Cheeses.
    • Protein bars.