Why Good Nutrition Matters in Recovery
At Seaside Palm Beach, we believe in a holistic approach to addiction treatment that focuses on improving your physical and mental health alongside removing your dependence on a drug.
We want our patients to increase their overall well-being during the healing process with exercise and good eating habits. While we offer luxury rehab in Palm Beach, high-end rehab does not mean junk or high-calorie food. Part of our holistic approach includes tasty, nutritious food because nutrition and addiction treatment should go together.
The Connection Between Nutrition and Addiction Recovery
Consistent and heavy amounts of drugs and alcohol can have devastating results on the human body and brain. Whether a person is a high-functioning alcoholic or indulges in illicit substances like cocaine or heroin, their physical health takes a toll. Good nutrition is important for everyone, but when a person is addicted to these harmful substances, they often lack the proper nutrients their body requires for a long and healthy life.
Along with removing the drug from their system with our drug and alcohol detox in Palm Beach, they need to start getting good nutrition in recovery to get their bodies and lives back on track. During the treatment process, our patients will learn the food and nutrients their bodies need to reverse some of the damage created by their addiction.
Related to a person’s physical health, diet can also affect a person’s mood and mental state. Studies have found that people who eat a traditional Japanese diet or Mediterranean diet, which are both high in vegetables, fruits, and unprocessed grain, have a 25% to 35% lower risk of depression than those that eat a Western diet filled with processed foods and refined sugars.1 For those looking for mental health treatment in Palm Beach as well, the food you put in your body becomes all the more important.
Some people may believe that indulging in high-caloric food in order to cope with their addiction is okay, but doing so can have horrible results. Instead of creating new, healthy lifelong habits, they will be replacing one horrible habit (their addiction) with another bad one (an unhealthy diet). Before they realize it, their addiction to drugs could become an addiction to food. Their health issues from addiction may become replaced with health issues from obesity. Good nutrition in recovery will help prevent a new bad habit from forming.
Ideas for Recovery Nutrition
Addiction recovery can be a long and challenging journey that requires a holistic approach to healing. Proper nutrition plays a vital role in supporting physical, emotional, and mental health during substance abuse recovery. Here are some diverse ways to implement nutrition for recovery from addiction:
- Consult with a nutritionist: A nutritionist can help create a personalized meal plan that supports the specific nutritional needs of someone in addiction recovery. They can help ensure that the meals are balanced and provide the necessary nutrients for healing and recovery.
- Incorporate whole foods: Whole foods are those which have not been processed, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods can help boost energy levels, stabilize moods, and promote overall health. Whole foods are packed with essential nutrients and can help reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for those in addiction recovery.
- Avoid processed foods: Unlike whole foods, processed foods can contain elevated levels of sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives that can negatively impact physical and mental health. Avoiding processed foods can help improve overall health and support addiction recovery.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for overall health and can help flush out toxins from the body. Staying hydrated can also help reduce cravings and improve mood.
- Incorporate supplements: Nutritional supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins can support mental and emotional health during addiction recovery. Supplements should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- Practice mindful eating: Practicing mindful eating can help individuals in addiction recovery stay aware of their eating habits and improve their relationship with food. Mindful eating involves paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of food, along with eating slowly, so one can savor each bite.
- Eat at established mealtimes: Establishing regular mealtimes and sticking to them can help regulate hunger and promote healthy eating habits. Eating at regular intervals can also help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce mood swings.
If you or a loved one is searching for holistic addiction treatment in South Florida, Seaside Palm Beach is the place to go to not only overcome your addiction but also to improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health along the way. Our facility offers insight into both nutrition and recovery from substance abuse, giving our patients a new lease on life.
To learn more about our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in South Florida, contact us today at 561-677-9374.
Sources:
- Harvard Medical School- Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food
Related Readings:
Why Holistic Addiction Treatment Works
Benefits of Acupuncture for Addiction[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
