Should I Change My Diet Now That I’m Sober?

The Dunes East Hampton

10 years ago

What do you think that nutrition in rehab should look like? Some people believe that people in recovery should be free to have a diet that is heavy on sweets, fat and junk food. The logic behind this way of thinking is that they have already given up so much by having to turn away from their drug of choice that they shouldn’t have to give up every indulgence that life has to offer.

Nutritional Impact Of Drugs And Alcohol On The Body

Ingesting drugs and alcohol has a negative effect on the body. Stimulants tend to suppress appetite (and some people use them for this purpose), which leads to insufficient caloric intake to meet one’s nutritional needs. Opiates can cause gastrointestinal issues. During withdrawal from medications in this class, a user may experience severe diarrhea and vomiting, which also leads to nutrient decline. Alcohol use interferes with nutrient breakdown and assimilation by the body.

Along with the physical implications of substance abuse on the body, there is a lifestyle factor to be considered as well. A person who is in the active stage of addiction is less likely to make good nutritional choices, since the addiction comes first. They may overeat, undereat or skip meals altogether. An active alcoholic may get about half of his or her calories from alcohol, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for healthy eating.

Nutrition In Rehab – Food As Part Of Healing

Should you change your diet now that you’re sober? If you have not been eating well, the answer is unabashedly, Yes!

Eating a healthy diet helps recovering addicts feel better because it gives the body the food that it needs to build muscle, repair organ tissue, have the energy it needs to get through the day and strengthen the immune system. Since many people living with addiction have some degree of organ damage from their drug or alcohol abuse, eating well in recovery gives their body the building blocks it needs to start healing the damaged tissues.

Eating regularly can help to stave off cravings for drugs or alcohol. Some addicts are not familiar with their body’s natural hunger signals anymore and interpret them as cravings, which can lead to a full-scale relapse. It also helps to boost mood, as anyone who has gone too long between meals can attest to; we can all feel a bit irritable when it’s past mealtime.

Nutrition Addiction Recovery Program – Includes Upscale Cuisine

We here at The Dunes East Hampton teach clients about nutrition in rehab as part of our drug and alcohol treatment programs. We have a sophisticated and experienced nutrition addiction recovery program that also includes wholesome and delicious upscale cuisine provided by our in-house chef who works with accredited Nutritionist and Dietician, Ann Silver.

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