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Nutrition & Meal Planning for Addiction Recovery

However, carbohydrates are essential for the function of the central nervous system and brain. They are so important alcohol recovery diet that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests 45% to 65% of daily calories should come from carbs.

alcohol recovery diet

There are six nutrient groups derived from food that are considered essential, and they can be divided into micronutrients and macronutrients. The diet was created by Joan Borsten and a team of chefs at the Malibu Beach Recovery Center , a world-class treatment facility, to make it easier to get clean and sober.

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A big reason for this is that medical conditions like heart disease and heart failure can impact how much water issafefor you to have. When selecting whole-grain foods, be sure to keep your eye on their ingredients list.

What is the best diet for a recovering alcoholic?

Proteins like meats, poultry, fish, beans, peas, eggs, nuts and seeds are rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium, all of which are common alcohol-related deficiencies. Making sure to eat protein during your detox and recovery can help to replete your stores of these important nutrients.

For this reason, most addiction counselors warn against ever consuming food cooked in any kind of alcohol. I myself avoided such foods until I was about one year alcohol-free, at which point I had already begun to regard alcohol as a worthless toxin rather than a forbidden fruit. Most Americans have been conditioned since childhood to avoid eating fat – or at the very least, to feel guilty about it. Ever since I started eating https://ecosoberhouse.com/ meals consisting of whole foods, I’ve felt much better and become leaner. To feel your best after quitting drinking, you’ll want to completely eliminate foods made with sugar or flour. This is because neural patterns are hard to break, especially when they involve a chemical dependency on sugar or junk food additives. When you start feeling good, it’s much easier to have a more positive outlook during the recovery process.

The Importance of Proper Nutrition in Alcohol Recovery

Eating a healthy diet and supplementing with vitamins as needed can help correct some of the damage from drinking. A healthy diet can help to set the person’s body up for recovery. In turn, eating fruits that can raise dopamine levels is critical. Not to mention, fruits provide that sweet satisfaction to sugar cravings that go hand-in-hand with alcohol withdrawal.

  • Whole-grain foods play an important role in subduing alcohol and hunger cravings.
  • You really can eat pizza while trying to improve your nutrition.
  • The rule of thumb is to drink at least twice your body weight in ounces every day.
  • But this can actually hinder your recovery process and make it more difficult for you to stay clean.