According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 20 million Americans struggled with substance abuse in 2017. There are many side effects to your health when you are trying to become sober. The reason why nutrition in sobriety and finding the correct type of diet for sober addicts is so essential.
Discover how to stay healthy during your recovery by reading the following article about nutrition in sobriety.
Connection Between Poor Nutrition and Substance Abuse
A drug or alcohol addict is likely to have not followed a proper diet to begin with. Foods with little nutrition are typically part of an addictive diet, including lots of fast food and alcohol.
Lack of money also contributes to poor diets caused by substance abuse. Your capital may have been spent on drugs or alcohol only.
Poor nutrition is closely related to substance abuse. Substance abusers are frequently nutritionally deficient.
You can develop health issues like liver and pancreas if you abuse alcohol. The result may be electrolyte imbalances or fluid retention. In addition to diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms that deplete your nutrients, addiction to opiates can also cause weight loss.
In addition to preventing your body from processing amino acids and other compounds that they need to feel good, substance abuse makes it difficult to process. Clarity of thought, calmness, and other factors can be affected.
Lastly, it is essential to note that drug and alcohol abuse can damage your internal organs, including your intestines. You will therefore be unable to get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function correctly.
Good Nutrition In Addiction Recovery Is Important
Your health will deteriorate if you have nutritional deficiencies and conditions linked to them. While you are recovering from addiction, nutrition plays a crucial role in your overall wellbeing.
You will also be able to maintain a healthy balance in all other aspects of your life if you eat well! Your mental, emotional, and social health will be enhanced.
Benefits Of A Good & Healthy Nutrition in Sobriety
Even though a balanced diet is essential for everyone, having a nutritious diet can benefit your sobriety in many ways.
You will first benefit physically from it. Nutrition can replenish many nutrients you lost while you were addicted.
By following a healthy diet and replenishing your nutrients, you will also notice an improvement in your mental wellbeing. Anxiety and depression can occur when your body lacks vitamins and minerals. Addicts often suffer from depression and anxiety.
Prioritizing nutrition will make you feel better both physically and mentally.
Healthy people are also more energetic! Having no energy may result from eating only junk and not enough nutrients. Your body becomes energized when you eat healthily.
Tips For A Healthy Sobriety
Even when eating nutritious foods seems simple, it can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you stay on a diet for alcoholics or sober alcoholics.
Goals
The first thing you should do is set goals. Think about your goals and write them down so you will be more motivated to achieve them. Those who include their goals in a written form are 20% more likely to succeed at achieving them.
Staying motivated and tracking your nutrition progress are both vital to staying motivated!
Dietician
Consuming fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to improve the quality of your nutrition, but it is also beneficial to have a customized nutrition plan. The proper diet, the right amount, and other things you should eat can be determined by a dietician.
They can also address your nutrition goals.
Meal Prep
When you don’t have a plan in place, you will have difficulty eating well and nutritiously. Plan your meals ahead of time a week or two if you are having trouble. If you do this, you’ll always be able to find healthy foods at the grocery store.
It is more likely that you will eat junk food if your house is stocked with junk food. The healthier the foods you have at home, the more you will eat!
By following these tips, you can get started on the road to better nutrition.
Best Foods To Help
You cannot find an all-encompassing solution to support your sobriety, no matter what foods you eat. That’s why it’s essential to consult with a dietitian!
You can benefit from foods that contain nutrients, however.
Be sure to eat nutrient-dense foods! Leafy greens, dairy, fruits, and others are good sources. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables are also recommended.
Fiber-rich foods include apples, broccoli, pears, chickpeas, and berries.
In addition to being essential to a healthy diet, protein is also crucial. There are a lot of protein-rich foods like chicken in the diet, but you don’t have to eat meat to get protein. Beans, nuts, and eggs are all high in protein.
Get Support Today
It is critical to have nutrition in trying to remain sober, but it is also essential to support those around you. Getting additional support when you are trying to quit drinking can mean the difference between success and failure. At Lift Off Recovery, we provide support for those in need!
As part of our recovery program, we provide comfort to our clients who are recovering from addiction. Our team can help you while you recover from substance abuse. Please contact us today to learn more about our services!