Asthma is a serious respiratory condition in which the airways connecting the nose to the lungs get narrowed and swell involuntarily, thereby obstructing the passage of air to the lungs. The severity of the condition varies from person to person. An important aspect of maintaining a healthy respiratory system is avoiding foods and drinks that have the potential to trigger undesirable, troublesome responses in the body. While there aren’t many general foods that trigger asthma in patients, several food allergies may be responsible for it. Here are some foods that can be avoided by those suffering from asthma and other breathing issues:

• Artificial ingredients and sulfites
  The ingredients that are usually found in food preservatives are harmful to our bodies. These preservatives contain sulfites that may result in the worsening of asthma symptoms. These are usually found in foods such as dried fruits, shrimp, and maraschino cherries. Moreover, the artificial sweeteners and preservatives found in these foods might trigger an allergic reaction in many people.

• Foods that trigger gas
  Beans are known to cause bloating in some individuals, which can further complicate asthmatic symptoms. Other foods that can trigger gas and bloating are cruciferous vegetables, wheat, and carbonated drinks.
• Wine or beer
  Wine and beer are also known to contain sulfites that can aggravate asthamatic conditions. Studies have also observed that alcohol could be a reason behind the worsening of asthma symptoms. This makes it imperative to either stop alcohol consumption entirely or limit alcohol intake.
• Foods containing salicylates
  Salicylates are another group of chemicals that are found in certain foods that may trigger allergic reactions in people with asthma. These chemicals are commonly found in regular food items such as tea, coffee, nuts, and even drugs such as aspirin. A person having frequent asthma attacks should be monitored closely to gauge whether the reactions are caused particularly after the consumption of these items, in which case they might even be allergic to them.
• Packaged foods
  In case you are considering buying a packaged box of mashed potatoes or a full-fledged meal from a store, you may want to make it in your own kitchen. Pre-packed food items including vegetables may contain a large number of synthetic preservatives that can cause an allergic reaction, which can be worse if you are already battling asthma. Hence, it is better to spend some time in the kitchen and create healthy dishes instead.
• Specific foods one may be allergic to
  Other than the foods mentioned above, there may be specific ingredients that an asthma patient may be allergic to. Allergic reactions from items such as nuts, soy, and milk can result in breathing difficulties that are known to trigger severe asthma attacks in such patients.