It also affects your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins and folic acid. It can trigger irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, too. We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention.

• By understanding the intricate relationship between alcoholism and nutrition, we aim to provide evidence-based insights to support individuals in their path to sobriety.
• Some people may feel so “broken” that they almost feel they can no longer experience joy and confidence, or have healthy relationships again.
• Avocados, olive oil, nuts, salmon, and grass-fed beef are my personal favorite sources of good fats.
• Heavily drinking increases calorie intake significantly, making you more likely to gain weight.
• The more alcohol you consume, the more regularly your body is in a state of inflammation, which can cause issues with the liver, brain, intestines, and more.

Rather than shopping for each vitamin, it’s best to understand the components of a healthy diet. 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. A well-balanced diet is important to build up your vitamin and nutrient stores and keep you healthy during the recovery process.

How Alcohol Misuse Affects Nutrition

Therapy combined with an AUD program tends to lead to a high recovery success rate. The abstinence stage typically begins right after you stop drinking. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 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.

ADH’s main effect is preventing you from losing too much water and urinating too much. When you drink alcohol, the brain makes less of this hormone, causing you to urinate more frequently and become dehydrated. While several dietary changes can benefit someone recovering from alcohol, no specific, recognized nutritional guidelines or restrictions apply to someone recovering from alcoholism.

Diet and Relapse

The addiction experts at our drug rehab in Sebring share expert tips on nutrition for recovering alcoholics, outlining the dietary considerations that can aid in recovery from alcoholism. By understanding the intricate relationship between alcoholism and nutrition, we aim to provide evidence-based insights to support individuals in their path to sobriety. Many nutrient-rich foods can support recovery; however, specific foods typically depend on the individual’s preferences. A high intake of fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed or sugary foods is also important to getting the nutrients that your body needs.

Canola, olive, safflower, sesame, and sunflower oils are good sources of healthy fats. That’s what evens out your moods, helps you sleep better, and soothes the urge for alcohol. Experts suggest a diet with lots of complex carbs like whole grains, veggies, peas, and beans. A lack of vitamin B9 can trigger anemia and make you weak, tired, and moody. Folic acid is in foods like enriched bread, flour, cornmeal, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals. Veggies, fruits, fruit juices, nuts, beans, and peas naturally have folate.

Nourish With Vitamins and Minerals

Protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, yogurt, and tofu can help support the healthy function of various organs, including the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart. Complex carbs, such as lentils, whole-grain bread, and fruits and vegetables offer several benefits for people alcohol recovery diet who are in this early stage of alcohol addiction recovery. It’s common to begin craving sweets and other unhealthy foods when you give up alcohol. Chronic alcohol use can cause nutrient deficiencies, and fruits and vegetables are one of the best ways to restore these imbalances.

• This double effect shows why it is important to be aware of and deal with these issues for your physical and mental health.
• Some common supplements recommended for
  recovering alcoholics include B-12, vitamins A, C, and E, and magnesium.
• A healthy alcohol detox diet can help to set the person’s body up for recovery.
• The abstinence stage typically begins right after you stop drinking.
• If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Sugar can also provide a dopamine release, which can feel especially satisfying for someone already craving the dopamine burst alcohol provides. This can be desirable for those managing withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and insomnia. As we’ll discuss below, it’s best to avoid these types of food in order to keep your body as healthy as possible as it navigates withdrawal symptoms and recovers from alcohol. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the recovery process for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders.

Increasing your glutamine intake during early recovery can help you suppress your cravings while also keeping your nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea under control. Glutamine is also good for supporting proper gut health, so get plenty of meats, cheese like ricotta or cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, and cruciferous veggies like spinach and cabbage. Alcohol can not only alter your brain chemistry, but it can negatively affect your nutrition as well. In fact, alcohol is known to prevent the body from absorbing and using the nutrients gained from foods.

• Highly processed foods may not be able to offer the same nutrients as those that are less processed.
• We get amino acids from protein in foods like meat, dairy products, and nuts, along with some grains and beans.
• A therapist can help you learn new coping skills, develop new thinking patterns, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions that may make recovery more difficult.
• Sticking close to these numbers can promote recovery and help alleviate some of the stress detox puts on your body.
• Recognizing the impact of nutrition on mental and physical health, our approach is tailored to the unique needs of each person, fostering a compassionate and supportive environment.
• FHE is dedicated to making a difference for those seeking a healthier, happier way of life, regardless of circumstance.