Last updated: Jul 3, 2025Published on: Jun 13, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
Good nutrition plays a crucial role in helping the body recover from any illness, and pneumonia is no exception1,2. Studies2,3,4 show that undernutrition in children can significantly increase the risk of contracting pneumonia and worsen its outcomes, as a weakened immune system makes them more vulnerable to respiratory infections.
Pneumonia can spread through droplets, inhalation, or in newborns, through the bloodstream during or just after birth. Although it isn’t always contagious (as its spread depends on the cause), more research is needed to understand the transmission of pneumonia better2.
While precise numbers may vary, evidence consistently demonstrates that good nutrition can play a vital role in supporting pneumonia recovery5. In fact, targeted dietary interventions in malnourished older adults led to a 77% reduction in pneumonia-related hospital readmission, highlighting the importance of improved nutrition for recovery, immune function, and long-term management of pneumonia6.
If you’ve been diagnosed with pneumonia, adhering to your prescribed treatment plan, which typically includes antibiotics (for bacterial pneumonia only), and respiratory support is essential for recovery7. While it is not the primary treatment, a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help promote the healing process by strengthening your immune system5,7. Additionally, monitoring your symptoms and maintaining good hygiene can help prevent the infection from spreading to others.
Following a nutritionally supportive diet during pneumonia helps ensure your body receives all the essential nutrients needed to fight the infection and recover quickly. In this article, we’ll share valuable tips on what to avoid during pneumonia recovery to help support a faster, safer, and more complete healing process.
How Diet Affects Pneumonia Recovery
A well-balanced nutritious diet plays a crucial role in recovering from pneumonia. When the body is fighting an infection, it needs extra nutrients to repair tissues, restore energy, and strengthen the immune system. A proper diet can support recovery from pneumonia by:
Promoting tissue repairand minimising muscle loss during illness8,9.
Improving energy levels andproviding the energy needed to combat fatigue8,10.
Supporting lung health and healing (with certain anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3 fatty acids)8,11.
Foods to Eat During Pneumonia
A balanced diet for pneumonia patients plays a crucial role in speeding up recovery by providing essential nutrients. In individuals with pneumonia, diet that includes the following five types of foods is beneficial:
Fruits and Vegetables: Foods like oranges and apples and vegetables like spinach, carrots, and broccoli are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre and help boost immunity and fight infections7,8,12.
Lean Proteins: Protein-rich foods for pneumonia, such as chicken, eggs, and legumes, help repair body tissues, support muscle strength, and help improve overall health7,10,12.
Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread provide long-lasting energy and fibre to support digestive health7,10,12.
Healthy Fats (Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats): Good fats such as olive oils, walnuts, and avocados support the body’s anti-inflammatory processes and help in cell repair11,12.
Warm Fluids Like Soups, Broths, and Teas: Warm and easily digestible food for pneumonia, such as chicken soup or vegetable broth, herbal teas, and warm water with honey can soothe the throat, help in mucus clearance, and provide the much-needed energy13,14,15,16.
Foods to Avoid During Pneumonia
In patients with pneumonia, foods to avoid include certain food products that may increase mucus production. Here’s what to limit or avoid and why:
High-Sodium Foods: Processed meats, salty snacks, and canned soups might worsen respiratory distress in patients with compromised lung function due to fluid retention12,17.
Saturated Fats: Fatty meats, butter, full-fat dairy, and fried foods may contribute to inflammation, which can further impair lung function and the immune system in individuals with pneumonia12,18.
Added Sugars: Sugary beverages, desserts, and candy may suppress immune function and promote inflammation12,18.
Highly Processed Foods: Fast food, instant noodles, and ready-made sauces often contain unhealthy fats, excess sodium, and preservatives that might impair recovery12.
Alcohol: Alcohol may interfere with medications, weaken immunity, and slow healing. It’s best to avoid alcohol entirely during recovery12.
Note: Some people report increased mucus production after consuming dairy, but scientific evidence on this is inconclusive. Thus, the focus should instead be on avoiding foods that may impair immunity or promote inflammation. Always consult a doctor or a registered dietitian for personalised dietary advice, especially during illness.
Sample Diet Chart for Pneumonia Recovery
The ideal diet for pneumonia patients includes warm fluids, soft foods, and meals high in vitamins A, C, and E to support lung health. You can follow the below-mentioned pneumonia diet chart to help with pneumonia recovery7,12:
Mealtime
Options
Breakfast
Mixed fruits (apple, grapes, prunes), A handful of almonds or sunflower seeds 100% fruit or vegetable juice
Mid-Morning Snack
Mixed fruits (apple, grapes, prunes), A handful of almonds or sunflower seeds, 100% fruit or vegetable juice
Lunch
Brown rice or whole-grain bread, Stir-fried tofu or lean turkey with kale, Mixed legume soup, Steamed carrots or beans
Afternoon Snack
Brown rice or whole grain roti, Steamed vegetables (carrot, broccoli, spinach) Grilled salmon or skinless chicken, Low-fat yoghurt
Dinner
Brown rice or whole-grain bread, Stir-fried tofu or lean turkey with kale, Mixed legume soup Steamed carrots or beans
Tip: Stay hydrated by consuming plenty of water throughout the day.
Lifestyle Tips Alongside Diet
A pneumonia diet chart helps plan meals that are light, nutritious, and rich in essential vitamins to support better health. Along with dietary guidance, adopting a few lifestyle tips can further speed up the healing process:
Practice Deep Breathing: Perform several deep breathing exercises daily to help improve lung function.
Prioritise Rest and Sleep: Ensure you get ample sleep to allow your body to strengthen and repair your immune system.
Maintain Good Posture: Sit upright to enhance comfort and facilitate easier breathing.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to maintain good hydration, which is crucial for recovery.
Engage in Light Physical Activity: Gradually incorporate gentle movement into your routine to rebuild strength. However, avoid strenuous activity that causes dizziness or significant shortness of breath; consult your doctor for guidance on appropriate activity levels.
Avoid Smoking and Second-hand Smoke: Refrain from smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke (inhaling smoke from being near people who are smoking), as both can worsen pneumonia.
Limit Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use: Steer clear of alcohol and illegal drugs, as they can compromise your immune system and increase the risk of complications12.
Conclusion
Choosing the right diet for a pneumonia patient may help reduce inflammation and support lung function. Nutrient-rich foods that may support recovery include warm soups, fruits rich in vitamin C, and leafy green vegetables. Additionally, knowing which foods may hinder recovery or worsen inflammation can help prevent complications and promote faster healing.
By providing essential nutrients, staying hydrated, getting adequate rest, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco smoke and alcohol, you can support your immune system and significantly enhance your healing process. Also, staying up to date with vaccines, especially the pneumococcus vaccine and the flu vaccine, can help reduce the risk of developing pneumonia or experiencing severe complications.
How much fluid should a pneumonia patient drink daily?
A pneumonia patient should aim for at least 1.5 litres of fluids per day unless advised otherwise by a doctor17,19. Staying hydrated helps thin mucus and ease coughing.
Can pneumonia patients take supplements like vitamin C?
Yes, supplements like vitamin C may help strengthen the immune response18,20. However, they should be taken under medical supervision, especially if the patient is already on medication.
Can pneumonia patients eat outside or restaurant food?
It’s best to avoid restaurant food during recovery, as it may contain excess salt, sugar, oil, and preservatives. Home-cooked, hygienic, and freshly prepared food is safer and more nourishing for pneumonia patients7.
Are herbal teas helpful for pneumonia?
Yes, warm herbal teas like black tea, green tea, peppermint tea, sage tea, and thyme tea can soothe the throat, reduce coughing, allow mucus clearance, and may boost the body’s anti-inflammatory processes16.
Srivastava AD, Awasthi S, Jauhari S. Prevalence of persistent pneumonia among severe pneumonia and nutritional status as its associated risk factor: A prospective observational study among under-five children. J Family Med Prim Care. 2024 May;13(5):1911-1916. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11213408/
Vu TT, Van Horn L, Achenbach CJ, Rydland KJ, Cornelis MC. Diet and Respiratory Infections: Specific or Generalized Associations? Nutrients. 2022 Mar 11;14(6):1195. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8954090/
Yang PH, Lin MC, Liu YY, Lee CL, Chang NJ. Effect of Nutritional Intervention Programs on Nutritional Status and Readmission Rate in Malnourished Older Adults with Pneumonia: A Randomized Control Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Nov 27;16(23):4758. Available from : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6926802/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pneumonia Recovery [Internet]. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; [cited 2025 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia/recovery
Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases – Health Professional Fact Sheet [Internet]. National Institutes of Health; [cited 2025 Jun 10]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunction-HealthProfessional/
Katagiri R, Yamaji T, Sawada N, Iwasaki M, Inoue M, Tsugane S; Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study Group. Total, animal, and plant protein intake and pneumonia mortality in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Mar 4;115(3):781-789. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34918031/
Masters B, Aarabi S, Sidhwa F, Wood F. High-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat versus low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat enteral feeds for burns. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Jan 18;1(1):CD006122. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22258965/
Alperovich M, Neuman MI, Willett WC, Curhan GC. Fatty acid intake and the risk of community-acquired pneumonia in U.S. women. Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23(3):196-202. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2293281/
PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Selected Vegetables/Sun’s Soup (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2018 Aug 24. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. [cited 2025 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65862/
Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2021 Apr;26(2):57-64. Available from: https://ebm.bmj.com/lookup/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=32817011
Hacioglu M, Dosler S, Birteksoz Tan AS, Otuk G. Antimicrobial activities of widely consumed herbal teas, alone or in combination with antibiotics: an in vitro study. PeerJ. 2017 Jul 26;5:e3467. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5533155/
Brown RB. Sodium Toxicity in the Nutritional Epidemiology and Nutritional Immunology of COVID-19. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Jul 22;57(8):739. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8399536/
Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress, food, and inflammation: psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition at the cutting edge. Psychosom Med. 2010 May;72(4):365-9. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2868080/
Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al. Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Feb;47:96-105. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8631606/
Padhani ZA, Moazzam Z, Ashraf A, et al. Vitamin C supplementation for prevention and treatment of pneumonia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Apr 27;4(4):CD013134. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013134.pub2. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Nov 18;11:CD013134. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7192369/
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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