Healthy eating can go a long way to help usher in a more successful rehabilitation of not just your body, but also your mind, as you live a sober life.
When you were in active addiction, you may have neglected your hygiene and health as you are solely focused on your next fix, or constantly getting your family off your back. But now that you’re in recovery, how can you reverse the damage drugs have done?
One good way to reverse the damage drugs have done to your body is through healthy eating.
But what exactly does drugs do to damage your body and how can healthy eating reverse this? Let’s take a closer look.
Drugs’ damage
1. Alcohol. Alcohol can manifest itself as digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. In the long run, you will find yourself dealing with an electrolyte imbalance, as well as a number of nutritional deficiencies.
2. Opioids. These can cause gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, as well as many nutritional problems as well, including weight loss.
3. Stimulants. Stimulants such as meth are known to suppress the appetite and cause people to be awake for long periods of time. These symptoms can cause weight loss and lack of adequate nutrition as well as dehydration.
4. Marijuana. This causes people to eat more due to increased appetite, therefore leading to weight gain. However, this doesn’t mean their choice are healthy food, as people are often left craving for fatty, sugary and fried foods.
How healthy eating can help
Healthy eating and maintaining a balanced diet can help counteract the detriment that drug abuse brings. These are important especially in early recovery, when your body is adjusting and recovering as well from the negative effects of drugs and an unhealthy lifestyle.
First of all, you need to drink more water to remedy the electrolyte imbalance as well as eat food that have electrolytes:
- Strawberries, bananas, sweet potatoes for potassium
- Vegetables, beans, cereals, nuts, and grains for magnesium
- Dairy, broccoli, meat, and beans for calcium
- Salt and cheese for sodium and chloride
You should also eat food, particularly fruits and vegetables, to help boost your immune system. You should also eat food that is low in sugar and saturated fat. Include in your diet a healthy amount of food reach in zinc, iron, and Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E.
As for weight loss or weight gain, it is best to talk with your physician or nutritionist for them to tailor fit your diet to your issues and provide supplements and exercise routine if necessary.
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