There are many forms of lung disease, with some of the most common being respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you are immunocompromised or more vulnerable, such as if you are elderly, it is important to take preventative measures to avoid contracting lung disease. For example, it would be valuable to get the ABRYSVO vaccine to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in seniors. If you do have lung disease, however, symptoms can be made more manageable by making some changes to your diet—here’s 5 foods to avoid with lung disease:

1. Dairy products

Have you ever noticed that you develop a bit of a cough after drinking a glass of milk or eating some ice cream? This is due to casomorphin, found in dairy products, that increases fluids, phlegm, and mucus produced by the body. In turn, this causes you to cough and could potentially result in wheezing and pain. While you don’t have to entirely cut out dairy, it’s important to monitor your symptoms after consumption and eat in moderation. If you find you react poorly to dairy products, that’s when you should consider a non-dairy diet.

2. Foods with added salt

Sodium is not very good for you, lung disease or not. Salt results in fluid retention, leading to coughing and shortness of breath in those with lung disease. Unfortunately, many canned meats, canned beans, salted nuts, and frozen meals have well-over the recommended intake of sodium. Anything over 300 mg of sodium per serving should be avoided, and when you cook, try seasoning with herbs and spices as opposed to the salt shaker.

3. Processed or deli meats

Processed meats and deli meats often contain high amounts of sodium as well as nitrates, a food additive that enhances flavor and color as well as stops the growth of bacteria. Nitrates have been found to cause damage and stress to the lungs, something that individuals with lung disease really don’t need on top of other symptoms. As sad as it is, you should probably say goodbye to cold cuts, ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and other processed meats.

4. Carbonated, sugary drinks

Carbonated drinks like soda, seltzers, energy drinks, juices, and carbonated water are all made with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in drinks is especially hard on those with lung diseases, as they can result in gas and bloating, in turn making it harder to breathe. Furthermore, many carbonated drinks are high in sugar—this can lead to weight gain, increase inflammation, and worsen symptoms of lung disease. Try drinking flat water, tea, natural juice, or other non-carbonated drinks.

5. Deep fried food

Fries, onion rings, fried chicken—these might be your go to restaurant or drive-thru meals, but you should probably cut them out if you have lung disease. Any fried food contains unhealthy fats and results in gas and bloating that can push on the diaphragm and make it harder to breathe. What’s more, too much consumption of fried foods over time can lead to weight gain and high cholesterol levels which can worsen symptoms of lung disease even further. Try pan-frying your food or purchasing an air fryer to get that same crunch you love without all of the unhealthy aspects.