What dietary plan is recommended for COPD patients to support energy and muscle mass?

• A. Low-carbohydrate diet
• B. High-fiber diet
• C. High-calorie, high-protein diet with small frequent meals and rest before eating
• D. Vegetarian diet only

Answer: (C)

In COPD, keeping energy levels high and preserving muscle mass is crucial because the disease increases work of breathing and can lead to weight loss and loss of lean body mass. A nutrition plan that provides extra calories and adequate protein while making meals easier to handle fits this need best. A high-calorie, high-protein diet helps supply the energy and amino acids needed for muscle maintenance and repair. Adding small, frequent meals reduces the amount of breathlessness and fatigue during eating, and resting before meals helps rev up energy and improve digestion so meals are tolerable. Spreading protein across several small meals can optimize muscle-protein synthesis. While other approaches can support health, they don’t specifically address both the energy deficit and the risk of muscle loss in COPD as effectively as this plan.