Similar to sugar, these foods stimulate the body to release dopamine. Eating may be the last thing you’ll want to think about when it comes to alcohol detox, but it’s an important part of the process. As your symptoms improve, however, it’s important to eat a balanced diet that will help replenish alcohol-related vitamin deficienciesand support your health and strength. Contrary to common misconceptions, not all fats are bad for health.

• When you eat sugar, your brain releases the same dopamine rush as when you abuse illicit drugs or alcohol.
• They are likely brand names that you can easily find in stores or on Google.
• That’s why it’s important to eat three meals a day plus snacks as your body heals.
• They disrupt digestion and create intestinal changes which permit oversized molecules into the bloodstream.

Often, people who are abusing substances are not practicing good nutrition, and in fact, may not be eating much at all. While it is important to eat good food, it is almost equally important to be mindful about when you eat. It should be no surprise people who have a drinking problem don’t practice the best nutrition.

What to Eat and What to Avoid While in Recovery

Gaining back your appetite in early recovery will take time, be patient. It’s essential to continue eating healthy every day and avoid cravings. When in the throes of alcoholism, it’s common for people to lose the ability to recognize hunger. It also may be difficult to eat anything at all during the withdrawal period.

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after cutting out alcohol is a very common experience. While these symptoms will subside with time, introducing certain foods and avoiding others can help alleviate symptoms in the meantime. It’s important to note that in some cases, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous or even life-threatening. That’s why it’s crucial you speak to a healthcare professional before significantly reducing your alcohol consumption. Proper nutrition is essential in recovering from alcohol addiction.

Why Doesn’t Alcohol Have Nutrition Facts?

If you have any questions about alcohol recovery diets, feel free to leave them in the comment box below. Even if those studies turn out to be false, I’ll still take cheat days. I’ve gotten away with them easily, despite weighing over 250 pounds before I quit drinking.

If you find yourself craving sugar during the withdrawal phase, it’s best to seek out healthy, natural alternatives like fruit. Fruit provides your body with other nutrients that are usually absent in foods that are heavy in refined sugars. This is something to be aware of when you pick out alcohol alternatives to drink.

Does Alcohol Raise Triglycerides?

These nutritional deficiencies can make it harder to recover from alcohol addiction and create other health problems. Making good dietary choices as you recover from alcohol addiction will help you be well-equipped to succeed in your recovery journey. Heavy drinkers get a large amount of their calorie intake from alcoholic beverages, which have no nutritional value. The most common deficiencies of alcoholics include B vitamins, which help convert food into energy, and vitamin D, which helps bones absorb calcium and helps with bone growth. While there’s not a specific “best” diet for recovering alcoholics, nutrition is key to recovery. Maintaining good nutrition help people in early recovery stay away from drugs and alcohol.

For example, frozen food is processed but is still a good source for fruits and vegetables when fresh is not available. If you or a loved one is rebounding from substance dependence, please pay special attention to nutrition and proper nourishment. After all, food isn’t only what we’re made of – it’s also what we’re remade of. Secondly, addiction influences habits such as sporadic eating and poor nutrition that impair the body. You’ll need to be especially careful not to replace alcohol with sugar or caffeine.

Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and shakes. Other symptoms, like seizures and hallucinations, can be more severe and even life-threatening. That’s why it’s vital for your safety that you consult a medical professional before you stop drinking.

Incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet ensures a wide array of these beneficial compounds. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an AUD, you will likely benefit from some form of treatment. Hydration is also incredibly important for recovering alcoholics. Because alcohol dehydrates the body, and the detox period is exacerbated by dehydration, people in recovery need to be extra aware of their water consumption. It can be tempting to drink sodas, energy drinks, and coffee, mainly because coffee is a staple of AA meetings.

Many drinks like soda, sweetened teas, iced coffees, and fruit juices contain lots of added sugars. In some cases, the sugar content of these beverages actually exceeds the sugary foods listed above. It may leave you anxious, out of sorts, and make it hard to sleep. Macronutrients are those your body needs in large amounts each day to function. Micronutrients are just as important, but you don’t need to consume as much of them to stay healthy. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients, while the macronutrients you need are protein, fat, carbohydrates and water.

• On the other hand, some of the best foods for recovering substance users include whole grains, vegetables, eggs, beans, and fish.
• A healthy diet full of vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, and healthy fats will go a long way toward providing recovering addicts the vitamins and minerals they need.
• If you cannot quit caffeinated beverages totally, consume them in moderation.
• Since alcohol consumption affects the brain and can lead to conditions like depression and anxiety, these fats can aid in recovery by enhancing cognitive functions and mood.
• That’s what evens out your moods, helps you sleep better, and soothes the urge for alcohol.
• It can trigger irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, too.

It’s also important to note that you should consult your doctor before making any sudden or drastic changes to your diet. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine alcohol recovery diet suggest 11.5 to 15.5 cups of water per day for adults. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about using nutrition to your benefit as you heal from addiction.