Author: Gary Jackson

Alcohol Detox Diet Eating Healthy During Alcohol Withdrawal

Contact us today to learn more about detox and treatment programs that can help you overcome withdrawal and begin a healthier, alcohol-free future. When you drink alcohol, it releases a burst of dopamine, serotonin, and other “feel good” chemicals in your brain. With prolonged alcohol use, your body can come to rely on alcohol to feel good, and crave the boost in feel good chemicals.

Capsaicin also releases endorphins, the hormone that creates feelings of happiness. Adding a little bit of cayenne pepper to food can help boost mood and also aid with nausea. Some of the most common recipes that include cayenne pepper are vegetable soup, spicy marinades, chili sauce, and Indian curry. Salmon is one of the foods with the highest concentrations of vitamin B and also one of the tastiest. Leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, or romaine lettuce are also great choices (please note that cooking any leafy green diminishes the vitamin B content). Other options include eggs, milk, beans, lentils, and whole grains.

Foods for Your Brain

B vitamins are involved in many processes that are essential to a successful recovery, and they’re often depleted in people who have been drinking heavily for a long time. B vitamins help the body make energy and play a role in the production of serotonin, and they are essential for healthy nervous system function. People may crave unhealthy foods high in sugar while detoxing from alcohol. But eating sugary products in place of healthier foods during this time can result in vitamin deficiencies, creating additional stress on the body.

They also help maintain a healthy digestive system, which can be disrupted by alcohol. Incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet ensures a wide array of these beneficial compounds. Instead of weight gain, those with a very severe alcohol addiction may experience malnutrition. This can occur when an alcohol addiction becomes so preoccupying that the person with the addiction fails to eat like they should, getting most of their calories from alcohol. Alcohol does not provide essential nutrients, and malnutrition can develop.

Recovery Needs: Necessary Nutrients

So, you’ve quit drinking—and perhaps you’re already starting to feel the health benefits. You may feel fatigued or toxified, struggle with food cravings, or not feel like eating much at all. And if you established unhealthy eating habits while drinking alcohol, they may suddenly be very obvious.

• Monument provides treatment entirely online and at affordable rates.
• Eating fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and Type 2 diabetes.
• This can occur when an alcohol addiction becomes so preoccupying that the person with the addiction fails to eat like they should, getting most of their calories from alcohol.
• It’s important for every person to develop healthy eating habits, but it’s crucial for people who are recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction.
• This can make it hard to stay away from alcohol while you’re trying to get better.
• Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol are different for everyone and can last anywhere from a few days to more than a week.
• Contact us today to learn more about treatment programs, including alcohol detox and recovery plans that can work well for your situation.

Additionally, the adaptations that the brain develops disrupt crucial neuropathways, decreasing neurotransmitters and their ability to move normally through the brain. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment. If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

The Appetites of Alcoholics

After all, food isn’t only what we’re made of – it’s also what we’re remade of. Hemoglobin helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues, then transports carbon dioxide from those organs and tissues back to your lungs. And just like vitamin B and zinc, alcohol affects how the body absorbs iron from food, causing an imbalance when you first stop drinking.

In general, healthy and nutritious foods are the best to eat when you first stop drinking alcohol. Let’s go over which specific types of foods are best to incorporate. Although eating these foods during detox won’t ensure smooth sailing, they will likely ease the discomfort and cravings that accompany the detox stage. However, in cases where withdrawal symptoms are overly uncomfortable or potentially dangerous, medical detox may be necessary. These programs are offered at professional alcohol rehab facilities like The Recovery Village, and they help make withdrawal a safer and more comfortable process.

Importance of Balanced Nutrition in Recovery

Protein deficiency is common in those who struggle with drinking. However, protein is important as it is a major nutrient and is the building block of your muscles. Proteins like meats, poultry, fish, beans, peas, eggs, nuts and seeds are rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium, all of which are common alcohol-related deficiencies.

• You can opt for a multivitamin or seek out individual supplements that contain omega-3, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.
• When detoxing from alcohol, you’ll likely be told that drinking water is a vital part of the process.
• If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Whole, unprocessed grains contain more fiber as well as B vitamins, which are a common deficiency in alcohol abuse. Examples of whole grains include quinoa, brown rice and non-instant oatmeal. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol are different for everyone and can last  anywhere from a few days to more than a week. During this period, when your body is adjusting and healing, it is important to have a healthy diet and nutrition to support you in your new alcohol-free lifestyle.