Nutrition and Sobriety

Proper nutrition and healthy habits are important to leading a healthy lifestyle. When a person is battling substance use disorder (SUD), nutrition is even more important. Nutrition could be considered one of the most important components to a successful and long-term recovery. With recovery, it’s essential to understand the relationship between nutrition and SUD and keep in mind nutrition tips for sobriety.

Substance Use and Nutrition

The abuse of drugs and alcohol can have major health impacts on the body. While many people are aware of the severe effects from drugs and alcohol, like liver disease, people aren’t always as aware of general health impairments and potential eating disorders.

5 Nutrition Tips for Sobriety

As part of your sobriety journey, here are 5 nutrition tips to support your overall health and maintained recovery:

1. Don’t put pressure on yourself. While eating healthy can support your body, putting pressure on yourself to eat extremely healthy right away can cause added stress and create a stressful relationship with food. Instead, focus on easing into a healthier way of eating.
2. Stock your fridge and pantry with nutritious foods, but also have some of your comfort foods on hand as well! Over-restricting yourself can create an uncomfortable and unhealthy relationship with food.
3. Plan your meals and snacks in advance so that you don’t find yourself searching for something to eat when you are starving. This structure will help you stay on track with healthier eating habits as well as help you set healthy routines in your life.
4. Set goals for yourself. Similar to recovery goals, nutrition goals should be small and attainable.
5. Include walking in your daily routine when possible (or other physical activity). Again, having a routine will help you stick to healthy habits, and focusing on your health as a whole will support your healthy eating habits.

Nutrition at Wellbridge

During periods of addiction, many people put nutrition on the back burner and develop poor nutritional habits. During treatment, it is essential to get back to the basics and relearn a nutritious way of eating. That’s why Wellbridge focuses on education and individualized nutrition.

Taking into account individual preferences and nutritional desires helps patients get interested in nutrition instead of just providing them with a specific menu to follow. This combined with our hands on nutrition education programs (like gardening and cooking classes) and one-on-one nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian, helps our patients relearn healthy eating habits and develop a better relationship with food.

If you’re interested in learning more about treatment at Wellbridge, contact us today. Let’s discuss where you are in your recovery journey and how Wellbridge can provide advanced support to help you today.