Even so, it’s important to take steps to avoid becoming too dehydrated or malnourished during detox, whether that involves finding a medical detox program or eating a balanced diet at home. Eating junk food can lead to a host of health problems, such as weight gain, high cholesterol, and blood pressure. Junk foods’ tendency to make you feel depressed or sluggish can also affect your mental state in addition to bodily organs like the heart and liver. Unfortunately, the most important foods to avoid when overcoming withdrawal symptoms are greasy, fatty food and too much sugar. But, alcoholism is also responsible for a lack of other essential vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E.
What to Eat: The Foundations of a Healthy Detox Diet
- These vegetables are full of nutrients commonly depleted during heavy alcohol use, such as potassium, vitamin A, and calcium.
- Research has found that vitamin B3 also assists individuals in detoxing from alcohol.
- Fish, nuts and vegetable oils can also support health by adding important fatty acids into the diet.
These are all nutrients that are often found to be deficient in alcoholics. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Capsaicin also releases endorphins, the hormone that creates feelings of happiness. Adding a little bit of cayenne pepper to food can best foods for alcohol recovery help boost mood and also aid with nausea. Some of the most common recipes that include cayenne pepper are vegetable soup, spicy marinades, chili sauce, and Indian curry. While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease.
The Vital Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health During Alcohol Recovery
Nutrient-rich liquids such as soups, stews, and smoothies are one of the best foods for alcohol detox, especially in the beginning of the detox process and the early parts of rehab treatment. One of the first things that need to be “fixed” when undergoing treatment is the digestive system. Substance abuse puts a major strain on the digestive system and which needs to be functioning normally for the body to process foods. Since things like soups, stews, and smoothies are always in a liquid form, these types of foods are less strenuous on the digestive system in the beginning.
Nutrition During Alcohol Detox: What To Eat
But nourishment is important once a physician deems an individual stable enough to eat. Well-balanced, calorie-appropriate meals can help detox patients improve nutrient deficiencies, manage low blood sugar and improve and maintain their body weight. Unfortunately, the foods that a person https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is most likely to crave are usually the foods that are better to avoid. As we mentioned earlier, regular alcohol consumption leads to a depletion of vital vitamins and nutrients. That is why it’s important to maintain a healthy diet in early recovery, full of fruits and vegetables.
Complex Carbs
Diet for Alcoholics: Dealing with Different Cravings After Quitting Alcohol
- Alcohol can disrupt the gut microbiota and promote an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria.
- Complex carbs, such as lentils, whole-grain bread, and fruits and vegetables offer several benefits for people who are in this early stage of alcohol addiction recovery.
- Supplementation and a balanced diet rich in these vitamins can help mitigate the negative health effects caused by alcohol and support the body’s healing process.
- Vegetables like spinach, kale, romaine lettuce and other salad greens can provide vitamin B6, folic acid and beta-carotene.
- You’re probably not going to be lifting weights or jogging, but do your best to get some fresh air every day.