Asthma is a condition in which the swollen airway produces extra mucus that leads to shortness of breath, a wheezing sound, difficulty breathing, and coughing. People with the condition can benefit from certain foods or a particular diet that can help manage the condition or the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Let’s look at some foods to eat and avoid for asthma:

Foods to eat to treat asthma
Eating fresh fruits and following a nutritious diet helps manage asthmatic symptoms and also boosts immunity. Research says that a shift from a nutritious diet to eating processed foods leads to an increase in asthmatic symptoms, so here are some foods that should be added to the regular diet:

• Vitamin D-rich foods
  Vitamin D helps reduce asthma attacks, especially in children aging 6 to 15 years. This vitamin is present in milk, fortified milk, and fortified orange juice. It lowers the immune responses that can potentially trigger asthma attacks.
• Vitamin A-rich foods
  Adequate and higher levels of vitamin A in the blood correspond to better lung functioning and help manage the symptoms of asthma. Some good sources of this vitamin are carrots, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and spinach.
• Apples
  Apples are associated with better lung functioning and lower the risk of asthma. An apple a day keeps doctors (and asthma) away!
• Bananas
  The antioxidant and potassium content in bananas increases lung functioning and also decreases the wheezing sound that is commonly heard while exhaling in people with asthma.
• Magnesium
  This bronchodilator relaxes the bronchial muscles and allows the airway to expand, allowing more air to flow in and out of the lungs and helping relieve asthmatic symptoms. Some good sources of magnesium are spinach, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate.

  Foods to avoid in asthma
Some foods should be avoided to treat asthma because they can trigger the symptoms:

• Sulfites
  These preservatives can lead to severe asthmatic symptoms or worsen existing ones. Foods that contain sulfites include wine, bottled lime juice, pickled food, and dried fruits.
• Foods causing gas
  Beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks, fried food, garlic, and onion are gas-causing foods and should be avoided by asthmatics. This is because gas puts the diaphragm under pressure and worsens breathings troubles.
• Salicylates
  These substances are found in tea, coffee, some spices, and herbs. They are naturally occurring compound chemical substances and sometimes are also found in foods, and they are best avoided as they are harmful to asthmatics.
• Allergens
  Common allergens like dairy products, wheat, and tree nuts can cause food allergies and lead to the symptoms of asthma. So, it’s best to avoid the consumption of such foods.
• Artificial ingredients
  Flavorings, coloring agents, and chemical preservatives that are found in fast and processed foods can cause allergic reactions in asthmatics people.

These are some foods to eat and avoid for asthmatics to help manage the condition better.