Getting sober is a major challenge. It requires discipline, determination, support of loved ones, and making certain lifestyle changes that support your sobriety. One of those important lifestyle changes is to make sure you eat the right types of foods when detoxing from drugs or alcohol. Eating the right diet is key to giving your body the proper nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy.
This article is filled with the information you need for knowing what to eat when detoxing. Let's take a look at the foods you'll want to stock in your kitchen to make the most of this difficult time.
Water
The first thing you're going to need to do is drink plenty of water. This is essential for flushing those toxins from your body. We recommend you drink at least 8-10 8 oz glasses of water per day.
Protein
Protein is a crucial component of recovery. It aids your body in repairing tissues. It also makes repairs at a cellular level, helping to restore damage to vital organs caused by drugs and alcohol.
Protein sources such as chicken, fish, eggs, and nuts also play an important role in blood sugar stabilization and help to fight cravings.
Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are a great source of fiber for helping an addict to heal. Fiber also reduces alcohol and sugar cravings.
Super Foods
Most people tend to overlook super foods when thinking about their diet during recovery. And yet foods like alga contain nutrients that bind to toxins in your intestines during detox. The toxins can then be expelled from your body during bowel movements.
Common types of algae ideal for an addict's diet include spirulina and chlorella.
Healthy Fats
Your body is going to need healthy fats and oils that deliver essential fatty acids that help reduce the risk of depression. Avocado, flaxseed, olive oil, and coconut oil are good sources of these healthy fats and will help accelerate the healing process.
Vitamins
Drinking too much alcohol can cause deficiencies of a number of important minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium. So you'll need to replenish your body with vitamin and mineral supplements during your detox. Be sure to get plenty of A, D, E, K, and B vitamins, as well as folic acid.
Foods to Avoid
In addition to all the foods rich in nutrients that we've listed here, there are also some things you should be careful to avoid during recovery.
Foods such caffeine and sugars can result in overstimulation of the central nervous system, cause anxiety and lethargy, and result in chemical imbalances.
Also be aware that the chemicals found in many types of fast food and junk food are hard for the liver to break down, and you'll need your liver to be as strong as possible during detox.
Knowing What to Eat When Detoxing
Recovery is a process, and knowing what to eat when detoxing is important for staying strong both physically and mentally. Addicts often spend years flooding their bodies with poisons, and now it's time to flush all of that out and replace those toxins with foods that will speed the healing process.
Click here to learn 5 steps for dealing with unsupportive family after rehab.
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