Complex carbohydrates stabilize blood sugar levels and provide vitamins, minerals and fibers. These foods take longer to digest, which means they provide energy for a long period of time. Shellfish is known for including a fair amount of zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron, all minerals and nutrients that aren’t adequately absorbed by the body during heavy alcohol use.

Nuts, Seeds, and Other Sources of Healthy Fats

For those in recovery, incorporating a variety of lean proteins into the diet is advisable. 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. Alcohol is unique in that it gets absorbed right through the stomach, which can hit people faster, Hultin says.

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

Nutritional deficiencies are common in people with alcohol use disorder. During detox and the early stages of recovery from alcohol abuse or addiction, taking in enough nutrients through best foods for alcohol recovery a balanced diet can help promote physical, cognitive, and mental health. Unfortunately, the foods that a person is most likely to crave are usually the foods that are better to avoid.

Eat Healthy Fats

In the short term, alcohol is processed through your liver in about an hour. Essentially, feeling “drunk” is when your liver becomes too overwhelmed to properly process alcohol, so it overflows temporarily into your bloodstream. This is what causes you to feel light-headed or tipsy after multiple alcoholic drinks. Of all your body’s organs, your liver takes the biggest hit when it comes to alcohol. During the recovery stage, it’s not uncommon to feel temporarily worse. For some people, AUD has hurt their relationships, careers, health, finances, self-esteem, and other aspects of their lives.

• Sugar can also provide a dopamine release, which can feel especially satisfying for someone already craving the dopamine burst alcohol provides.
• Start your morning with a glass of water, and it will help you stay hydrated during the day.
• They’re also full of calories and can contain saturated fat if coconut cream is added in, Hultin notes.

Getting In Protein During Alcohol Detox

Both food and addictive substances present ways to escape from or numb unwanted feelings. Macronutrients are those your body needs in large amounts each day to function. Micronutrients are just as important, but you don’t need to consume as much of them to stay healthy. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients, while the macronutrients you need are protein, fat, carbohydrates and water. 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.

Which Foods Provide The Best Nutrition In Addiction Recovery?

To offset zinc deficiency, consider adding high-zinc foods to your diet. Meat of any kind is an excellent source of zinc, but it’s important to avoid excessive amounts of red or processed meats as they have been linked to increased risk for heart disease and cancer. Shellfish, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy, and eggs are other excellent sources of zinc. Eating junk food can cause a host of health problems, including weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.

Sometimes when people ask why I’m not drinking, it’s easier to say that I’m suffering from insomnia than it is to talk about my complicated relationship with alcohol. Alcohol abuse is tough to manage any time of year, but especially around the holidays. If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, Ranch Creek Recovery is the best place to find help. That’s why many of us wonder if a month of avoiding drinking is enough to “reset” your liver back to normal. It’s true that taking a break from alcohol for any amount of time will be beneficial overall, with some research showing that liver function begins to improve in as little as two to three weeks.

• There’s no miracle diet by any means, but the Mediterranean diet, for example, can help fill some of the nutritional gaps you may have due to alcohol use.
• Just like a broken bone or infection needs time to heal, so does an overworked liver.
• Studies show that sugar consumption also triggers euphoric feelings, which may help fill that gap.

Substance Use Treatment