The Importance of Nutrition in Addiction Recovery
Nutrition is an addiction recovery tool, as patients suffering from drug and alcohol abuse typically do not maintain balanced diets. With our recovery diet plan, we focus on providing balanced meals that will give the patient energy and make him or her feel and look better – two critical aspects that collaboratively work to psychologically and physiologically aid the patient in overcoming addiction and future cravings.
While achieving sobriety is an addicted person’s first priority, it’s essential that they take the extra steps to regain a holistic sense of health and wellness. A healthy body feels more comfortable, energetic, and balanced, contributing to the continuance of a sober lifestyle. The Ridge is committed to achieving this level of health for our patients with a balanced program of nutrition and exercise.
Health & Wellness at the Ridge
As part of our addiction recovery process, we provide hearty meals, intended to provide patients with the restorative nutrition that they need to get well. The importance of recovery nutrition in addiction recovery is vast, as patients typically suffer from a lack of consistent vitamins and nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. We provide delicious, balanced meals for each of our patients to support whole-body nutrition in addiction recovery. The Ridge will try to reach a balance between patients’ dietary restrictions and reparative nutrition as best as possible, and reasonable menu variations with the recovery diet can be made.
How Substance Abuse Affects Appetite
Eating poorly
Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol tend to prioritize their substance abuse over eating properly. As a result, their diets can be poor and lack sustenance.
Think about it – when you’re recovering from addiction, your body is still suffering from the drugs and alcohol it’s been consuming for weeks, months, or years. As you undergo addiction recovery nutrition is essential to becoming healthy.
Excessive drug and alcohol use has compromised your immune system and actually limits the amount of nutrients your body can absorb. When you don’t get the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc., your whole body suffers. Your mood changes, you suffer from a lack of appetite, you gain or lose weight due to poor eating habits, and your gastrointestinal system can’t process foods like before.
When patients are recovering from addiction, an optimally-balanced menu full of nutrient-rich foods will help to restore the body’s natural functions and support long-term recovery. Limited sugar, reduced caffeine, and increased vitamins and amino acids will help improve your mood.
Some of the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet include:
- Repair of damage to organs and tissues.
- Improved immune defenses.
- Increased energy.
- Improved mood.
- Reduced risk of relapse due to fatigue or depressed mood.
You may be tempted to indulge in junk food while you’re recovering from addiction. But this can actually hinder your recovery process and make it more difficult for you to stay clean.
The best option is to eat a nutritious diet that will foster physical and mental health and improve your chances for long-term sobriety.
The Ridge’s Nutritional Focus
Our addiction recovery nutrition plans incorporate a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains to restore balance to the diet and improve your appearance and immune system. A balanced meal eaten during regular intervals throughout the day (with snacking, as appropriate) can actually help normalize patients on a routine, which can help diminish cravings.
We focus on providing patients with delicious, well-balanced meals consisting of whole grains, limited sugar and caffeine, a balanced and healthy amount of restorative proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Patients will enjoy flavorful meals which will, in turn, support the overall recovery process during their stay at The Ridge. To learn more about our recovery diet plan and how The Ridge supports whole-body nutrition for addiction recovery, contact us today.
