When you suffer from respiratory problems or breathing difficulties, naturopath Janella Purcell says, certain foods and techniques can help. “Eat foods that are moistening for your lungs like nuts, vegetables, fruit and grains. Ginger can reduce inflammation,” she says.
Purcell recommends avoiding cold foods like ice-cream, cold water and chilled fruit. Plus, techniques like meditation, yoga and mindful breathing can help you to relieve stress, relax, and breathe correctly.
These eight foods to your diet to help you cope with respiratory problems:
- Almonds
- Mushrooms
- Pears
- Barley
- Spinach
- Pine nuts
- Apples
- Millet
Follow our recipes to help you add more of these foods to your diet:
Celeriac & Almond Soup with Goat’s Cheese Toasts
Barley & Mushroom- Stuffed Butternut with Nori Butter Recipe
Mulled Pears & Blue Cheese Salad
Pearl Barley Risotto with Pumpkin
Spinach Salad with Beetroot & Figs Recipe

Grilled Zucchini Pasta with Orange & Pine Nut Crumb Recipe
Grated Beet, Fennel and Apple Salad
Cured Salmon With Buckwheat & Millet Blinis