When a person begins their recovery journey, so much emphasis is placed upon their sobriety that other areas of their life may become neglected. In particular, rebuilding and replenishing their physical wellbeing is essential to not only reestablishing their health, but to also maintaining their sobriety and ensuring their rehab is physically and emotionally sustainable.
An addiction is like any other disease. It attacks a person’s sense of purpose and stability, eroding their self-assurance and welfare by deteriorating their physical and mental health.
That is why taking the time to focus on healthy food options and how improved nutrition can positively impact the entire recovery process is an instrumental tool for any recovering addict to add into their treatment plan.
The same way in which a substance use disorder destroyed your addicted loved one’s health and happiness, a proper nutrition plan can rebuild their physical strength, emotional stability and overall wellbeing.
Proper nutrition ensures that their efforts throughout the recovery journey are not in vain, and when they complete their recovery process, their body and mind are strong enough to sustain their sobriety and substance abstinence for the long term.
The Importance of Nutrition for Addiction Recovery
Your loved one’s addiction has no doubt taken its toll on their physical health and emotional stability. Substance use disorders deplete an addict’s homeostasis, causing serious damage to their vital organs and disrupting the normal bodily functions that support their health.
From neurological impairment to respiratory deficiencies, a substance addiction can leave your loved one struggling to maintain normal functionality.
By implementing an effective nutritional plan at the onset of recovery, your loved one can literally rebuild themselves more effectively from the inside out. A nutritional plan can also address their vitamin deficiencies and poor gut health, and it can enable them to rebuild essential cornerstones to their overall personal wellbeing.
5 Best Recovery Foods
While there are a number of excellent foods to incorporate into an effective nutritional plan for a recovering addict, a few options stand above the rest. With all choices, making sure to eat whole foods, avoiding overly processed food options and staying away from those high in unhealthy sugars is a must.
Whether you’re looking for a planned diet for someone recovering from alcohol addiction or some other type of drug, the following five foods can help your loved one reclaim control over their health and well-being.
Keep in mind that these foods will not produce overnight health, but by committing to a healthier lifestyle, and by consuming advantageous foods, the body can slowly begin to heal and restore itself.
Some of the best food options for an effective nutritional plan include:
- Beans
Beans are a great source of iron and fiber and can keep cholesterol levels in check, lower heart disease risk, reduce cancer risk and keep the body humming for longer periods of time. Studies have proven that those who eat beans on a regular basis weigh seven pounds less and have a slimmer waist than their bean-abstaining peers. - Berries
All berries are packed with fiber, compounds, and antioxidants that, when eaten regularly, help keep your mind and body strong. Blueberries can help improve memory and can reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia; and, a mere cup of strawberries packs a full-day supply of vitamin C, which contains skin-firming properties. - Seeds and Nuts
There is a saying that goes: eat nuts and live longer. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health, reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, and can even improve your mood. Rich in omega-3’s, flaxseed – which is touted as one of the most powerful plant foods available – can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. - Oily Fish
Options like salmon and sardines are packed with omega-3’s, which are incredibly important for brain function and even contain substances that fight off nasty disease-causing inflammation. - Kale and Spinach
These leafy greens have the power to form healthy, new cells and are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Plus, studies have shown that kale may decrease the risk of ovarian, breast and other cancers.
How Attending a Rehab Program at an Established Rehab Facility Can Help Your Loved One Start and Stick to a Beneficial Nutritional Plan
Making the choice to enter into rehab is no small decision for your loved one. It requires them to face their disease head-on and display enough bravery to confront the demons that have held them down for some time.
That is why choosing to begin a recovery journey at an established rehab facility takes some of the responsibility off of their plate, literally.
A qualified clinical treatment center – like Ranch Creek Recovery – will support your loved one with a comprehensive nutritional plan that addresses their specific nutritional deficiencies and guides them back to a state of physical and mental health.
It will also provide them with prepared meal options that can heal them from the inside out and repair the damage inflicted by their addictive behaviors.
Ranch Creek Recovery: We’re a Holistic Addiction Treatment Center Focused on Your Loved One’s Total Well-Being in Achieving Sobriety
As your loved one’s biggest advocate, we understand how crucial it is for you to help your loved one get
healthy and stay sober. If they are ready to get help, or you are seeking insights from addiction recovery
experts, Ranch Creek Recovery can help.
We go beyond the normal 12-step program and focus on tailor-fitting each treatment program to
address each patient’s unique needs – including nutritional guidance. At Ranch Creek Recovery, it’s about individualization and holistic treatment that gives your loved one a chance to start a new beginning.
Learn more about us or get in touch with us today. We’re here to help in any way we can. Contact us today.
CALL NOW: (877) 293-8607
