There is no magic diet for asthma patients, but some changes to your everyday diet and knowing what kind of foods to avoid can help you manage the condition far better. Food preservatives and asthma, for instance, are linked; additives and preservatives in food are known to trigger asthma attacks. Asthma will also affect people’s reactions to food allergies. Sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium bisulfite, etc., are some of the additives that trigger asthma flare-ups.

Preservatives that you must avoid if you have asthma:

• Sulfites
  If you want to know how food preservatives and asthma are related, you should identify the food chemicals that are usually added to foods to extend their shelf life. Sulfites like sodium metabisulphite and sulfur dioxide are often found in all kinds of processed foods in preservatives. For instance, canned fish, wines, fruit juices, and dried fruits contain these chemicals that can trigger asthma flare-ups. Food colorings will not typically trigger an attack, but if a person who has asthma is also allergic to colorings, he should stay away from all foods that contain artificial colors.
• MSG
  Monosodium glutamate is a naturally-found chemical that is often added for enhancing the flavor of some foods. This is most commonly found in snack foods such as packet soups, gravy, soy sauce, stock cubes, etc. Instead of MSG, you may also find hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, which can cause reactions in people sensitive to MSG.
• Salicylates
  These are found in foods like soy sauce, coffee, beer, honey, and tomato paste. Even non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs can cause asthma attacks in those who are allergic to aspirin.
• Benzoates
  These, particularly sodium benzoate, is an asthmatic preservative found in ice cream toppings, drinks, and syrups for a milkshake. It can be responsible for asthma flare-ups in kids who are sensitive to this preservative that is sometimes present in cough syrups and other medications. Benzoates may affect grown-ups equally.
• Histamines
  This is also naturally produced and used as an ingredient for foods like smoked meats, mature cheese, and yogurts. Alcoholic drinks like wine contain histamine that can trigger asthma symptoms.

To avoid food preservatives-induced asthma attacks, you should ideally eliminate the foods or food ingredients capable of triggering a flare-up. You need to understand that such substances may get released into the air or your body when drinking or eating such foods. You need to read the ingredients label in all food packages when buying theses at the grocery. You must become aware of the possible food triggers to make sure you stay healthy and safe.

While there are quite a few foods capable of triggering asthma attacks, the general rule is that if a food can trigger an allergic response, it is likely to trigger an asthma flare-up. Not everyone has the same body type, and not everyone will react in the same way to certain foods. Even if your body does not have an allergic response to a specific food, it can still have an asthmatic reaction. Simultaneously, some foods seem completely safe for eating, yet contain harmful chemicals or preservatives that may cause a problem.