How to Detox From Alcohol With Food

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Updated: October 13, 2023

alcohol recovery diet

Omega-3 fatty acids specifically are among the best nutrients for fighting inflammation caused by alcohol. Look for meaty, fatty fish like salmon, which contain high levels of omega-3s and are also packed with a fair amount of protein. Cirrhosis is an advanced form of liver damage commonly caused by excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time, leading to healthy liver cells being replaced by scar tissue. With years of constant damage and scarring, the liver becomes swollen, stiff, and incredibly weak, meaning it can no longer carry out its important functions.

  • After you drink alcohol, Volpicelli explains that the small molecules inside it get absorbed by your gut.
  • Opiate and heroin use can be linked to nausea and vomiting, serious organ damage over time, and general neglect of one’s health, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.
  • And Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, converts food into glucose and helps remove alcohol from the body.
  • Junk foods’ tendency to make you feel depressed or sluggish can also affect your mental state in addition to bodily organs like the heart and liver.

Physical Benefits of Quitting Alcohol

Balancing your protein intake with other nutrients is important for a balanced diet during recovery. But it’s crucial to act now to avoid inflicting permanent damage on your brain or liver. When I was in detox for alcohol withdrawal, I met several people with cirrhosis. It’s a scary disease, and although treatments are getting better, a liver transplant is often required. Alcohol detox and withdrawal can be dangerous without medical support.

  • B vitamins such as thiamine (vitamin B1) and folate (vitamin B9) are critical for brain function and energy production, which can be negatively impacted by chronic alcohol consumption.
  • Stable blood sugar levels are crucial for managing cravings and maintaining energy levels.
  • Behavioral health treatment for alcohol problems is often (but not always) covered by insurance.
  • If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, maintaining a healthy diet can help your body rehydrate, build back its strength, and restore the nutrients that may have become depleted due to alcohol use.
  • Today, I’d like to discuss a few key foods that aid in alcohol recovery that you can begin eating to improve your recovery journey.

Caring for Your Health During Recovery

alcohol recovery diet

It may be difficult to eat any food at all during the initial stages of your detox. As your symptoms improve, however, it’s important to eat a balanced diet that will help replenish alcohol-related vitamin deficienciesand support your health and strength. During the journey to recovery from alcohol dependence, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in restoring physical health and supporting brain function. Carbohydrates and fats are two macronutrients that are especially important in this process.

Risks and Complications

  • Proper nutrition is not only essential for maintaining liver health but also plays a pivotal role in the liver’s repair process.
  • Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety.
  • When you quit drinking, you’ll probably notice that the colds, flu, and other illnesses you always seem to catch happen less often.

Heavy drinking makes it harder for your organs to work the way they’re supposed to, especially your stomach lining, pancreas, intestines, and liver. Loss of appetite is one of the signs of liver diseases like cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. When you drink too much, you’re more likely to eat foods that are high in added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

Post-acute withdrawal

Milk thistle is essential for those with cirrhosis and alcohol-induced fatty liver. It can improve liver function and protect the liver from various toxins. While more research is needed to see if it can also aid those with cancer, some studies have noted its potential in this area. With careful planning and attention to your diet and lifestyle, you can address your physical needs, stay in recovery, and go on to live a meaningful life.

alcohol recovery diet

Why Nutrition Is Important During Alcohol Detox

alcohol recovery diet

As a result, you need to eat extremely healthy with plenty of fruit vegetables, and other nutrient-rich foods in order to build up your stores again. When you drink alcohol, it releases a burst of dopamine, serotonin, and other “feel good” chemicals in your brain. With prolonged alcohol use, your body can come to rely on alcohol to feel good, and crave the boost in feel good chemicals. When someone alcohol recovery diet stops drinking, their dopamine and serotonin levels are initially depleted, so it’s common for them to seek out other sources of comfort and pleasure to compensate. For many people in the withdrawal phase, this results in cravings for specific foods. Proteins also provide a feeling of satiety, preventing overeating and helping maintain a healthy weight, which is often challenging during recovery.

alcohol recovery diet

Alcohol consumption has a profound impact on the body’s nutritional health, often leading to malnutrition and specific nutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition in the context of alcohol use is multifaceted, involving both a deficiency in essential nutrients and an imbalance in energy intake. Consuming healthy, nutrient-rich foods is essential to prevent this and support the body’s recovery during alcohol detox. Quality protein is another crucial component in an alcohol detox meal plan. Good sources of protein, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes, aid in muscle repair during alcohol withdrawal.

Tip 2 – Eat More Good Fats

There are many resources available to help, including peer support groups, counseling, therapy, and inpatient rehabilitation. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to severe and life-threatening. When that person cuts out alcohol, there is a period when their brain hasn’t yet received the message and still overproduces the stimulating chemicals.

Post-treatment Nutrition

alcohol recovery diet