Addiction recovery is an emotional and spiritual struggle, but it’s a physical one as well. Your body has been broken down throughout your illness, and it needs to be equipped with the proper tools in order for you to return to health. Eating the right foods will not only help your physical state to improve, it will also help fend off cravings and boost your emotional well being.
Protein
Protein is the basic building block of life, and everything in our bodies, from our muscles to our hair, is made from it. Addiction is caused by a lack of natural chemical supplies in the brain, and these chemicals are made from protein as well. Eating plenty of lean meat, nuts, beans, poultry, dairy, and tofu will give your body the protein it needs to get stronger. The right amount of protein will help your body start producing some of those feel-good brain chemicals without the help of drugs.
Vitamins
Protein is a great builder, but it can’t do all the work alone. Vitamins are needed to help the work along. A healthy dose of vitamins can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which is why you need about 5 servings per day of these super foods. Vitamins and minerals can help you have more energy, feel more alert, and keep mood swings in check. In addition to eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, taking a daily multivitamin can help too.
Antioxidants
Another reason to get in your daily dose of fruits and veggies is they contain powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are what your body needs to clear out all the harmful substances in your body, and make way for all the good stuff. Antioxidants are most abundantly found in green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, and in red berries like raspberries and cherries. Load up on these super foods to detoxify your system and beat back cravings.
Healthy Fats
A great way to keep cravings at bay is to keep yourself feeling satisfied throughout the day. Eating smaller portions more frequently is a great idea, and so is giving yourself access to healthy, unsaturated fats. These kinds of fats are found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil. They not only help you feel full, but aid in healing and repairing of the brain. Avoiding craving and giving your brain a boost is exactly what you need to recover from addiction.