These tips have been culled from years of information gathering and trial by some of your most experienced AlphaNet Coordinators and Senior Medical Director, Robert A. Sandhaus. You may want to review this information with your physician and/or your AlphaNet Coordinator. AlphaNet is not endorsing or marketing any product or service mentioned in this article. For more information about nutrition and Alpha-1, visit the Big Fat Reference Guide .

Much of our world revolves around food. We even have a TV channel devoted entirely to food, not to mention the overwhelming focus on food and diets in the rest of the news media, the controversy over too-thin models, and the blizzard of ads we see daily for fast food and food products. In short – food is news. But what about food and Alphas? Can food help or hurt; does it ease breathing problems or make them worse?

Unfortunately for Alphas it cuts both ways. We know that being overweight can lead to increased medical problems; but there are a different set of medical issues associated with being underweight. For some Alphas, it may be difficult for them to maintain minimum weight as the disease puts such high demands on their metabolism that the body just can’t keep up. When the disease reaches a critical level, Alphas begin to lose weight without trying. It is important to tune in to a good dietary plan as the first step in trying to gain (or lose) weight.

Overall Good Alpha Nutrition

Foods to Avoid or Limit:

  • Processed foods like chips, cookies, and other packaged snack foods which may be high in sodium and sugar.
  • Fast food – but if you must go, eat the salads and grilled chicken. Many fast food restaurants now offer fruit and other healthier options.
  • Foods that cause heartburn or gas — bloating makes breathing more difficult.
  • Cured meats such as bacon, sausage and processed meats are high in nitrates and are more likely to impair lung function (“The Pulmonary Paper”, Sept/Oct 2006, Respiratory News column, from a report presented at the European Respiratory Society).
  • Refined foods and sugars. Examples: white rice, white bread, mashed potatoes, pasta made from white flour, anything labeled “instant”. Refining removes the bran and most of the nutrients leaving very little of nutritional value. These foods force the body to focus on digestion instead of breathing. Instead choose brown rice, whole wheat breads and pastas and whole oatmeal.
  • Most alcoholic drinks, including wine and beer, contain carbohydrates (sugars) and can harm the liver, and many doctors recommend Alphas with liver problems avoid it altogether. The way alcohol is converted once in the liver can effectively paralyze some of the liver’s ability to process fats and sugars. If you do have an occasional drink, red wine is thought to be the healthiest option, but moderation is vital.

Foods and Eating Habits to Embrace:

  • Eating whole, fresh foods whenever possible.
  • Organically grown fruits and vegetables and foods such as eggs, milk, poultry and beef may be of benefit, although they can be expensive. Look for deals on organic produce at local farmers markets.
  • Plain yogurt, rather than pre-sweetened, and add your own fresh fruit or fiber.
  • Whole grains. Whole grains are full of B vitamins and help keep your digestive system moving and healthy. Oat bran is known to reduce cholesterol and the fiber whole grains contain provide bulk to the digestive system and allows it to function more efficiently.
  • Filling a container of cut fresh vegetables at the beginning of each week to have an easy and healthy snack – you can even take it with you when you go out to lunch or dinner. When they are available, fresh fruits and vegetables are best, but canned and frozen will substitute well in the off seasons.

More Alpha Nutrition Tips:

  • Drink plenty of water (eight 8 oz glasses per day) and juices. Fluids help thin secretions and make it easier to cough up mucus. Go light on the juices since they often have sugar.
  • Eat several small meals throughout the day is easier on the digestive system and uses less energy (leaving you more energy for breathing).
  • Wash foods, cutting boards and food prep areas thoroughly. Keep dishwashing liquid in your kitchen hand soap dispenser to help cut grease and keep your hands clean. A fruit/ vegetable-washing product can also be used.
  • Take a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral. Make sure it has ample amounts of the anti-oxidant vitamins C and E; flax seed oil or evening primrose is beneficial, along with vitamin C and the B vitamins. Your local health food store can help you make a selection. Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, which can assist with the inflammation of chronic lung disease. If you can’t tolerate fish oil, substitutes may include flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil or combination oils available in most pharmacies and health food stores.
  • Keep a food diary for a week to see what you are actually eating – you may be surprised by what you learn.

Losing Weight for Alphas

The key is to move more and eat less. Many believe Mediterranean-type diets can work well for Alphas. A number of the tips mentioned for gaining weight are good for Alphas looking to lose weight, too — just be sure to carefully watch the number of calories you consume. Most people are amazed at how and where they consume calories during each day, so keeping a food diary is crucial to help you monitor and adjust your diet. You can use a notebook to jot down your meals or even download a calorie counter app like Lose It or My Fitness Pal directly to your smartphone. Below are some tips to get you started on your weight loss journey:

  • Portion control is key, have one plate of food at meals and do not eat second helpings.
  • Essential fatty acids are good for you and they are found in foods such as avocados (and guacamole), fish oil, olives, walnuts and almonds. Focus on more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
  • Keep some low-calorie snacks available.
  • A sample breakfast would be some string cheese, apple and a handful of walnuts; or oatmeal; or an egg and slice of whole wheat toast.
  • A great lunch would be a salad with spinach or romaine lettuce, cheese, sunflower seeds and a can of tuna, salmon or some chicken and an apple or grapes; a Caesar salad with chicken is an ideal lunch. Be careful of high-fat, calorie dense salad dressings.
  • There is some evidence that a cinnamon capsule a day can help smooth out the spike in blood sugar and help with weight loss.

Gaining Weight for Alphas

This may be the biggest challenge for some. Food is fuel and when your body needs all the fuel it has just to breathe, you have to struggle for enough calories to maintain weight. If you are underweight and have Alpha-1, gaining even one pound can take weeks of effort and near forced feeding. The trick is to slip in the additional calories wherever and whenever you can throughout the day. If you’re struggling to gain weight, check out the tips below:

  • If you cannot cook for yourself have a friend or family member prep meals for you in advance, try out a paid meal delivery service like Daily Harvest or Sun Basket, or find out if you qualify for a free meal delivery program like Meals on Wheels.
  • Be sure to use your oxygen and stay warm when you eat. One good overall method to gain weight is with supplemental shakes like Carnation
  • Instant Breakfast ®, Boost ®, Boost Plus®, Ensure®, Ensure Plus® & Glucerna®.
  • Add olive oil, flax seed oil, or other oils, to foods (like cottage cheese) whenever you can.
  • Use butter or margarine generously.
  • Add peanut butter to toast, bread, crackers, banana slices, apple slices, or celery stalks.
  • Add dry milk to hot cocoa, milkshakes, hot cereal, gravy, sauces, meatloaf, cream soups, or puddings.
  • Add brown sugar to cereal or fruit.
  • Go ahead and eat the real full-fat ice cream and the fruit with the heavy syrup.
  • Add ice cream, whipped cream and nuts to pies and cakes.
  • Add breading to meat, chicken, and fish.