In the meantime, there are many things you can do to help get through the withdrawal stage. In addition to changing your diet, you can get extra support through treatment options such as medication to curb cravings, specialized alcohol therapy, and peer support groups. Monument provides treatment entirely online and at affordable rates. If you’ve ever found yourself licking the salt off your fingers after you finish a bag of potato chips, you know how satisfying salt can be.
Nourish With Vitamins and Minerals
Individuals who have used alcohol heavily often show additional deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin c (ascorbic acid), calcium and iron. Women are https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-reasons-sobriety-tattoos-are-a-terrible-idea/ especially at risk of osteoporosis after drinking heavily and should increase their calcium intake. However, always consult a doctor before starting any diet, supplement or nutritional program.
Alcohol Detox Diet
During the recovery stage, it’s not uncommon to feel temporarily worse. For some people, AUD has hurt their relationships, careers, health, finances, self-esteem, and other aspects of their lives. That said, there are four general stages of recovery, as compiled by addiction expert Steven M. Melemis, MD. These stages can help prevent relapse and support people to live healthier, fuller lives. If you think you may have a drinking problem, you’re definitely not alone. In 2021, researchers estimated nearly 30 million people ages 12 years and older in the United States had alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Effective Recovery Strategies for Addiction
No matter where you are in your recovery journey, our team will be there every step of the way. Experts suggest a diet composition for those in alcohol recovery of approximately 45% carbohydrates and 30% healthy fats, with the remaining 25% from protein. This balance ensures that individuals in recovery receive the necessary nutrients to help rebuild their bodies, support brain health, and facilitate a successful recovery journey.
In general, healthy and nutritious foods are the best to eat when you first stop drinking alcohol. If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, maintaining a healthy diet can help your body rehydrate, build back its strength, and restore the nutrients that may have become depleted due to alcohol use. Let’s go over which specific types of foods are best to incorporate.
A person struggling with a substance abuse problem needs to eat well for their body and mind. Proper nutrition gives the individual much-needed energy, making them feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. A positive mood is also affected by proper nutrition because it can positively affect an individual’s outlook on life–lessening the risk of relapse in some cases. Remember that nutritional therapy should be just one piece of your whole treatment program. To stay in recovery and live a healthier, happier life, you need to try other things.
Alcohol Addiction and the Need for Detoxification
- Explore how drug alcohol dependence leads to addiction, its impact, and paths to recovery.
- When consuming breads and pastas, stick to brands made with whole grains.
- Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is considered a nutritional powerhouse.
- So, you’ve quit drinking—and perhaps you’re already starting to feel the health benefits.
- Consuming healthy, nutrient-rich foods is essential to prevent this and support the body’s recovery during alcohol detox.
- They are so important that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests 45% to 65% of daily calories should come from carbs.
With years of constant damage and scarring, the liver becomes swollen, stiff, and incredibly weak, meaning it can no longer carry out its important functions. Cirrhosis is unfortunately irreversible, though you can slow its progress by ceasing alcohol consumption and eating an anti-inflammatory diet. Taking the first step and admitting you need help addressing your alcohol use can be best foods for alcohol recovery the most difficult, most critical decision you’ll ever make. It’s common to feel defeated in the face of the many physical and mental health issues caused by excessive alcohol use, but it’s not too late to forge a path forward. I made this difficult decision myself many years ago, and today, I continue to encourage others to move away from alcohol use and toward healthier choices.
- Chronic and heavy drinking can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leading to an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria.
- Many people find that they can’t resist the craving for something sweet.
- Dual diagnosis treatment programs for substance abuse and eating disorders focus on addressing both conditions and their common roots, rather than trying to treat one after the other.
- While the fermentation creates a bit of alcohol in kombucha tea, it’s incredibly small, under 0.5%.
- Alcoholism is a disease that you can overcome with evidence-based treatment.
- Whole milk, cheese and butter are great sources of vitamin A, and yogurt provides both vitamin B2 and live cultures that can promote digestive health.
Inclusion of complex carbohydrates like root vegetables and legumes can aid in balancing serotonin levels, promoting relaxation and well-being. Recovering from alcohol misuse requires not only psychological support but also a nutritional overhaul to address deficiencies caused by chronic consumption. This includes screening for nutritional deficiencies and providing tailored dietary recommendations to prevent adverse outcomes. Although staying hydrated in recovery is important, you should ask your doctor how much water is safe for you to drink.
