When struggling to recover from a toxic lifestyle, your diet may be the last thing you think about. But during your recovery period your nutritional needs will be higher than usual. Nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and drugs can strip your body from its essential nutrients, and your organs and tissues no longer receive the minerals and chemicals they need to function.
Food improves your mood and gives you energy, but it also repairs and rebuilds your tissues and boosts your immune system. This means that your diet will help you during your recovery, and if you choose to eat healthily, you will feel better emotionally, mentally and physically.
Below are some aliments that will help you adopt a healthy diet during your recovery period.
Smoothies, stews and soups
The above foods are great in hydrating your body when you recover from toxic habits. Any substance abuse puts a strain on your digestive system and it can affect its ability to process foods. By pureeing aliments, you help your digestive system recover. Smoothies and soups are essential during a rehab diet. Your stomach doesn’t have to do the hard work, because they are already cooked and pureed.
This delicious detox smoothie aims to purify your body while helping to raise alkalinity and support healthy digestion. It’s also the perfect blend to kickstart clean eating.
Fermented foods
During your recovery process, you will have to help your gut recover its healthy state, because substance abuse always affects it. Fermented foods like miso, kimchi, and tempeh are great in helping your gut recover. Your gut is the house for microbiome that influences your behaviour, health states and even thinking. When out of balance it disrupts all the above processes. The good news is you can repair your gut and restore the balance through the foods you eat. Fermented foods also boost resilience against drinking, so if you were experiencing drinking problems they can help you.
Calcium-rich aliments
When attending inpatient drug rehab you will have a calcium-rich diet. A study from 2017 shows that when living a toxic life people neglect eating right and they have low levels of calcium. Alcohol for example prevents calcium absorption and it draws calcium out of the bones. When eating calcium-rich aliments people experience milder withdrawal symptoms. Tahini, sesame seeds, tahini, and tofu are rich in calcium.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates have a bad reputation in diets, but when recovering from a toxic lifestyle they are essential in restoring your energy levels. If your body lacks carbs, your brain doesn’t function well. Carbs restore neurotransmitters balance, and prevent anxiety, frustration and cravings. Brown rice, oats and potatoes are great sources of carbohydrates during your recovery. Do not try to cut sugar and carbs when you start your recovery process, thinking that a healthier diet is more effective during rehab. You need to prevent cravings, and alongside craving for the substances you used, your body will also crave for sugar and carbs. Facing multiple craving is impossible, so you should take it a step at the time.
Eating right will help you lower or even stop side effects like insomnia, agitation and depression. A balanced diet is the key to regain a healthy life.