Reading Time: 3 minutes
When a person has developed an addiction to some type of controlled substance such as drugs or alcohol, they need to seek recovery to overcome the addiction. Once they are in recovery, it is important that they are educated about the benefits of healthy eating. Typically, during the addiction phase, the person won’t consume a healthy diet. The drug that was consumed could have caused the person to not get enough vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are needed to fully recover and have their body function properly.
During the recovery process, the body will go through many changes. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the way the body metabolizes foods, how the organs function and even the mental process can change drastically. The benefits of healthy eating can give the body a better chance of recovery, develop healthier organs and be able to fight off infections. Also other benefits of healthy eating in recovery may include increased energy and a faster and more safe recovery overall.
Important nutrients to consume during recovery
There are plenty benefits of healthy eating!
Proteins are needed to help the body build and repair from any damages that have been caused during the addiction phase. Vitamins are necessary to help the metabolism function correctly and help the body perform correctly. Carbohydrates are essential for energy production. Fats that are monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats are good for energy production and chemical reactions. Minerals help keep the metabolism and overall body functions working properly. Water helps keep the body hydrated and helps with overall body functions.
Foods to Eat During Recovery
Since there are several different benefits of healthy eating during recovery, it is important to know what types of food should be consumed. Every recovery center is different and some may offer different types of meals. Before entering into a recovery program, it is important to look for the menu and see what type of diet they will be offering. Most recovery programs understand the importance of a well balanced diet during the withdrawal and recovery process and they may offer personalized menu plans.
A few foods that should be consumed during the recovery process are chicken, broccoli, oranges, apples, spinach, beans and fish. There are several other foods that should be combined and eaten. It is most important to eat a well balanced diet and ensure that enough water is entering into the body. Water is an essential part of the recovery process, since many drugs will often dehydrate the body.
It has been suggested that the daily meal consumption should entitle about 2,000 calories including 30% fat, 45% carbohydrates and approximately 25% protein. This rate can be different from person to person and should be discussed with a physician. Here are some of the most important steps to eating healthy during recovery:
- Eat whole grains
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
- Try to consume at least 3 meals per day and healthy snacks in between
- Consume mostly water or decaffeinated beverages
- Eliminate processed sugar
- Consume more beans and clean proteins
It is also important to take a daily multivitamin. Vitamins can help make sure the body is getting the proper amounts of nutrients that the food may have not been able to produce. Also, drugs and alcohol deplete a lot of the bodies vitamins during the addiction phase.