How to Detox From Alcohol With Food

If you feel like you’re highly at risk of withdrawal symptoms or struggle with a severe co-occurring disorder, inpatient services might be more beneficial. Whether you’re looking for an inpatient or outpatient alcohol rehab center, finding the right treatment program is an important step on the road to recovery. Protein boosts your energy levels and enhances your body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. Protein is important for those whose bodies can no longer absorb nutrients on behalf of alcohol use disorder. Protein also helps boost memory, concentration, and mental clarity that may also be inhibited by alcohol use. Bright, colorful fruits and vegetables like red and yellow peppers, blueberries, and oranges are high in carotenoids — pigments that give these foods their vibrant hues.

What is the healthiest alcohol? The No. 1 picks, according to nutritionists

If your body is deficient in this amino acid, it’s common to experience fatigue, confusion, memory problems, a decrease in alertness, and to have a reduced appetite. D-phenylalanine also slows the breakdown of endorphins, which act as the body’s natural painkiller, prolonging their release into the body. A great source of amino acids and a necessary component to keep the body strong, protein is a must-have. Lean meats and poultry are great sources for those who choose to eat meat, but for those who don’t or would prefer to limit intake, nuts, seeds and tofu can be excellent substitutes. Hydration is important for everyone, regardless of history of substance abuse.

Cottage cheese may be trendy, but the health benefits stand the test of time

Diet and nutrition therapies are widely available at many alcohol detox centers to teach patients about foods that can keep them healthy and sober for the rest of their lives. These vitamins play a role in the body’s chemistry and help promote optimal physical and psychological well-being. These nutrients are key to fighting conditions like cancer, chronic pain, premature aging, diabetes, immunity issues, and more.

Best Supplements For Alcohol Recovery

People who abuse alcohol typically do not pay attention to nutrition. Even those who were formerly healthy tend to let their good eating habits go as they become more consumed with the need to find and drink alcohol. This creates a two-fold nutritional problem because even if someone does manage to eat healthfully and get all their nutrients, alcohol prevents them from being fully absorbed. At Acqua Recovery, our nutrition therapy, led by our dedicated Chef Kyria Cropper, goes beyond meals – it’s a culinary journey infused with love and care. By eating a balanced and varied diet that includes these nutrients, we can support our brain’s natural ability to grow and change.

Alcohol’s Detrimental Effects on Nutritional Health

Some focus on other evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and relapse prevention. In addition, some programs focus solely on treating substance use disorder, while others offer dual diagnosis rehab, which addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. The liver’s detoxification process is continuous and highly efficient, ensuring the body remains protected from harmful substances. Contrary to popular belief, a healthy liver does not typically need external “liver detox supplements” or supplements to function effectively. A healthcare provider must supervise any medical treatment you need if you have a liver disease. While eating habits for individuals recovering from alcoholism may vary, people tend to eat less when they quit drinking.

My goal is to live life fully, not to feel deprived and have a 6-pack at all times. Chocolate cake tastes a lot better when you only eat it once per week. Too many people focus solely on psychological healing, only to be brought down later by biochemical imbalances caused by alcohol that can linger for months or years. Numerous feel-good hormones, including best foods for alcohol recovery testosterone, seize upon fats as their primary building blocks. The most common vitamin deficiencies for alcoholics are vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B1 (thiamine), and folic acid. Lacking these nutrients can lead to problems such as anemia (decreased amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood) or Korsakoff’s syndrome, a neurological disorder.

Stimulants (such as crack and methamphetamines) often cause users to stay up for days at a time, creating nutritional deficiencies in multiple areas. To get back on track during detox, eat balanced meals that include protein and sources of omega-3. The omega-3 is thought to provide multiple benefits, including lowering the risk of coronary heart disease and depression. Fish, canola oil, flaxseed, eggs and dairy products are all great sources of this nutrient. Experts suggest a diet composition for those in alcohol recovery of approximately 45% carbohydrates and 30% healthy fats, with the remaining 25% from protein. This balance ensures that individuals in recovery receive the necessary nutrients to help rebuild their bodies, support brain health, and facilitate a successful recovery journey.

• They are so important that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests 45% to 65% of daily calories should come from carbs.
• Instead, adopting a balanced approach to lifestyle choices can be beneficial.
• Then last December, an astrologer told me that my chart suggested I could benefit immensely from giving something up.
• As you feel more stable and watch the pounds shed from your mid-section, you’ll stop missing sugary beverages forever.
• Studies show that glycine is useful in treating both alcoholic hepatitis and carcinoma caused by alcoholic cirrhosis.

Going to AA can sometimes feel like the only path to recovery — but it isn’t. A reader asks about different ways of thinking about substance use treatment that have developed since AA was founded in 1935. Alcohol can cause malnutrition, malabsorption, and increased urinary excretion of the vitamin, leading to vitamin C deficiency.9 This deficiency can cause you to feel tired, irritable, and weak. Severe deficiency, called scurvy, may result in anemia, bruising, and dental issues.

How Doctors and Nutritionists Can Help