Drug Rehab and Nutrition

Proper nutrition is one of the most critical aspects of a successful drug rehab program and lasting recovery from addiction. Clinical drug rehab lasts just a few short months, but maintaining healthy physical habits is crucial for avoiding drug cravings and staying clean. Not only is it important to eat well for addiction recovery – healthy dietary habits can even help people avoid the development of addictions in the first place. It is crucial that addicts and non-addicts alike learn more about nutrition to avoid drug cravings and curb the current rates of addiction. The following are some of the most important diet tips for people attending drug rehab.

Regularly Scheduled Meals

Many people take meal times for granted and simply eat whenever they feel hungry, or whenever their favorite foods are available. Though this may allow some people to stay healthy, recovering addicts need to be much more precise with when they eat. Skipping meals or eating late can cause hunger pangs and wild fluctuations in blood sugar levels. These phenomena can quickly lead to strong, unexpected cravings.

Choosing the Right Carbohydrates

People who attend drug rehab should also manage their blood sugar through proper carbohydrate intake. For most addicts, this will need to mean eating very little sugar or refined starch. Products such as baked goods, pastas, and white bread may taste good, but they cause the body to secrete large amounts of insulin. These insulin spikes result in dramatic highs and lows in energy levels, making it extremely difficult for addicts to stay alert and ward off drug cravings.

Fats for Brain Function

Fats are calorie-dense and easy to overeat, but some of them are still essential for good healthy. In particular, unsaturated fats such as Omega-3s have been shown to promote healthy skin, balanced hormone levels, and low levels of inflammation. Research also suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids can boost brain function. A healthy and well-functioning mind is critical for addicts to stay positive and maintain their daily recovery efforts, so rehab patients should make sure to consume plenty of fish, fish oil, nuts, and healthy oils.

Plenty of Protein

Protein is an important nutrient in almost everyone’s diet. Athletes need lots of it to recover from training, but other people need it to feel full and satisfied. Meals without protein are often less filling, and it is easy to overeat foods rich in only fat or carbohydrates. Recovering addicts should make sure to combine lean protein with their selections of healthy fats and whole grains in order to manage hunger throughout the day.

Micronutrients for Good Health

When most people set out to improve their diets, they focus on the macronutrients – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These nutrients contain all of the calories of a person’s diet, but they do not contain all of the essential nutrients. Recovering addicts need to be especially vigilant in eating plenty of fresh produce in order to obtain B-vitamins, probiotics, and other crucial substances which the human body cannot produce on its own. These nutrients are critical in maintaining healthy immune systems and avoiding disease – a common cause of relapse for people addicted to painkillers and other prescription drugs.

No matter how badly you’re struggling with addiction, there is hope. Call the number above to speak to one of our representatives about setting up a customized treatment plan that’s right for you. We are standing by day and night to help you get back on your feet with a comprehensive drug rehab program that is widely considered one of the most successful in the country. Call us now.