Addiction takes a big toll on your physical health. The drugs or alcohol that you consume can do serious damage to your internal organs, can weaken your immune system, and can send your hormones into a tailspin. When you are in the grips of addiction, you also likely aren’t eating healthy foods – or eating at all – and likely aren’t getting the sleep that you need. That further damages your body.
When you are in recovery, you need to do everything you can to support your health to control your cravings, better manage your stress, and just feel more energetic and prepared to take on the hard work ahead of you. Look for an addiction treatment program that includes nutritional counseling and wellness services. Then include these five tasty foods in your diet during your addiction recovery:
Garlic
Garlic tastes good on almost everything. You can put it on pastas, in bread, on meats, on vegetables, and more. Not only does it taste great, but it is also good for your body. Garlic is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It will help to clean your liver, and it will help to restore some of the damage in your body. Plus, it supports your immune system, improves bone health, and helps to regulate your blood pressure. It’s like a wonder drug disguised as food.
Chop up garlic and add it to your sauces and vegetable mixes, or rub it into meats for flavoring. Drop it in soups and pastas, or sprinkle it onto your other dishes. You can even bake or broil it and eat it on its own.
Whole Grains
So many of the breads and pastas we eat now are highly processed. The grain has been stripped and the flour so refined that it hits your body the same way as sugar. You get an instant jolt of energy, but then you experience a crash. That puts a lot of strain on your body, and you don’t get much nutrition in the process.
Instead, you should choose whole grains, which are loaded with nutrients and will give your body a slow release of energy to sustain your activity levels. Look for breads that are 100 percent whole wheat, brown rice, whole wheat pastas, and more.
Avocados
Avocados are very popular in the culinary community right now since so many people have realized their nutritional benefits. Avocados are loaded with healthy fats that help to restore brain cells and to boost your immune system. The green fruit also has plenty of other vitamins and minerals to encourage health.
The easiest way to eat an avocado is to make up some guacamole and use it as a dip for your chips or veggies. But you can also chop up an avocado to throw it in a salad or pasta, or you can even smoosh one onto some toast and add some salt and pepper. Throw avocado in a burrito or add it to a rice dish.
Salmon
Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids that encourage brain health, as well as monounsaturated fat that is heart healthy. The omega-3 fatty acids also improve blood flow and promote healthy digestion. Salmon is high in protein, as well, which encourages healthy muscle tone and helps your body to heal.
Eat salmon once or twice a week. You can eat it baked or grilled, or you can even eat smoked salmon on your bagel or in your salad.
Oranges
Oranges are packed with Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system while also promoting healthy skin and tendons (connections in your body). The citric acid also helps to clean your liver, and the fiber helps to promote digestive health.
Don’t drink orange juice as this is refined and loaded with sugar. Instead, snack on oranges, or have one with your breakfast or in a salad.
Adding these foods to your recovery diet will give your health a boost so that you are stronger and more energetic during what will be a physical and mentally exhausting time. Add a variety of other healthy foods to your diet.
Credited to:corebellawellnes