Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol are different for everyone and can last anywhere from a few days to more than a week. During this period, when your body is adjusting and healing, it is important to have a healthy diet and nutrition to support you in your new alcohol-free lifestyle. Chronic alcohol use can cause nutrient deficiencies, and fruits and vegetables are one of the best ways to restore these imbalances. They may also help improve your mood, boost your immune system, and even help with alcohol detox. There are no meal plans that major scientific or medical organizations specifically recommend.
Substances such as alcohol, opiates, caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and marijuana strip key nutrients out of our bodies. This may include things like an IV drip for hydration or vitamins to keep levels of both stable throughout withdrawal, leading to a smoother transition to treatment. Protein deficiency is common in those who struggle with drinking. However, protein is important as it is a major nutrient and is the building block of your muscles.
What Is The Best Food for Alcohol Detox and Addiction Recovery?
For more information about our treatment services, or to get started on your road to recovery, contact us today. The most common dietary deficiencies in alcoholics are vitamin B6, thiamine and folic acid. These vital nutrients aid in red blood-cell production and nutrient absorption. During detoxification, or the immediate period following alcohol withdrawal, a doctor should monitor these levels and decide if supplementation is necessary to preserve healthy bodily function. He will also screen for protein, iron and electrolytes to determine what, if any, lasting damage has been done to the liver.
- Alcoholics may derive as much as 50 percent of their daily caloric intake from alcohol, neglecting the foods and nutrients needed for a healthy diet.
- Chronic alcohol use can cause nutrient deficiencies, and fruits and vegetables are one of the best ways to restore these imbalances.
- Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own.
- To help, we’ve put together the guide below with tips for
an alcohol recovery diet. - Eventually, alcohol abuse inhibits the body’s ability to absorb much-needed nutrients from foods and supplements.
Research shows that drinking a lot over a long time — as in alcohol use disorder — often leads to poor nutrition. Nutritional therapy, a treatment approach that involves nutrition education, changing your diet, and adding supplements, can help balance out this loss. Eating disorders and substance use disorders share multiple similarities in displayed behavior.
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Your doctor may administer B12 shots or have you take B-complex supplements by mouth during your first few months of recovery. At The Recovery Village Columbus, we care about helping you feel your best during recovery, ultimately succeeding in your recovery journey. Contact a Recovery Advocate today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting freedom from alcohol addiction. Appetite usually returns during the first few weeks and months after you quit using drugs or alcohol. This is why a person in recovery is often more likely to overeat, particularly if your drug-of-choice was a type of stimulant (cocaine, amphetamines, or meth).
If you’re on a mission to beat alcohol forever, be sure to resolve your all of your Missing Links in the Hierarchy of Alcohol Recovery. I prefer to use coconut milk instead of regular milk because it contains no sugar; milk contains a hefty dose of lactose. While I do not have any sensitivity to dairy, I’ve noticed that drinking lots of milk causes me to gain weight. For this reason, I do use organic milk during periods in which I’m trying to gain muscle and strength. Type any fruit or vegetable into Google followed by “superfood,” and you’ll find an article extolling its benefits. Instead of obsessing about which produce is the trendy superfood of the week, I eat whole foods and make a smoothie every morning.
What should I eat for breakfast?
Be sure to get a good mix of proteins that are complete so that you get all of the essential amino acids too. Whole foods are foods that haven’t been processed alcohol recovery diet or refined before they’re eaten. They don’t contain additives like salts, fats or other preservatives that you’d find in processed and refined foods.
- Although refined grains like white bread offer carbs for energy, they are not as healthy as whole-grain alternatives.
- Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands and can lead to exhaustion, a depressed immune system, low blood pressure, dizziness, light-headedness, or blacking out when standing up.
- Processed foods have no enzymes left, are more difficult for the body to process, and put a damper on the body’s digestive enzyme reservoir.
- Protein deficiency is common in those who struggle with drinking.
- If you’re struggling to stick with new habits during the recovery process, there are new ways to get the help you need.