A healthy diet plays a major role in helping recovering alcoholics return to normal living. The process of recovery includes practicing regular eating patterns with good nutrition. Those in recovery face severe nutritional deficiencies, especially after long-term drinking or during the advanced stages of alcoholism. They often benefit from counseling and participation in support groups during the recovery and rehabilitation process and can follow a proper diet with help from doctors, who determine the nutrients the alcoholic lacks through physical exams.
Neglect
Excessive drinking results in getting more calories from alcoholic beverages than from healthy foods. Alcoholics tend to consume unhealthy fats and sugars and usually neglect their diet because of frequent intoxication. A study of 15,000 adults in the United States found that diet quality decreased with increased alcoholic consumption, according to Dr. Rosalind A. Breslow, author of the report in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Researchers Dr. Breslow and colleagues found that people who drink the largest quantities of alcohol have the poorest diets during a previous study. The latest study was conducted by researchers at the NIAAA, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Avoiding Fats
Eating a low-fat diet and practicing regular mealtimes improves habits for the recovering alcoholic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Alcoholics commonly suffer from dehydration, so drinking plenty of fluids during and in between meals helps overcome alcoholism. The appetite begins to return during the recovery phase and overeating may result, the UMMC notes. At this time, alcoholics need to focus on nutritious meals and snacks while avoiding high-calorie foods and sweets.
Fiber
Healthy foods in the diet can help stabilize blood sugar and prevent cravings, Natural News points out. Fiber-rich foods that return lost nutrients to alcoholics include fruits, a variety of leafy green vegetables, legumes, organic cheese, beans and whole grains. Brown rice, wild rice, oatmeal and whole-wheat breads, pasta and cereal make good choices for fiber-rich whole grains. These foods help avoid alcoholic cravings, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Alcoholics can replace saturated and trans fats with healthy unsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oils and avocados.
Low-Fat Protein
Substituting lean meats, poultry without skin and fish for fatty red meats provides good sources of protein. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends a diet high in protein and fiber for an alcoholic recovery diet. Eating lean, low-fat sources prevents alcoholic cravings and the desire for unhealthy or junk foods. Fat intake reduction in a healthy diet for alcoholism also includes low-fat dairy products instead of whole-milk dairy products. Recovery alcoholics may have kidney damage and need to limit protein to avoid overworking the kidneys. Prior to dietary changes, however, consult with a doctor to receive a thorough examination to pinpoint any nutritional deficiencies you may have.
Supplements
Doctors often recommend vitamin and mineral supplements for recovering alcoholics. Alcoholism can rob the body of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and K, which can weaken cells and impair liver function. A thiamine, or vitamin B1, supplement corrects a thiamine deficiency that often occurs in alcoholic patients and can lead to brain impairment, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Along with vitamins, recovering alcoholics also benefit from supplements that include calcium, potassium, magnesium and zinc to help avoid cravings and improve body functioning.
References
- NIH News: Diet Quality Worsens as Alcohol Intake Increases
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diet and Substance Abuse Recovery-Overview
- Natural News: Aid Recovery from Alcohol Abuse with a Nourishing Diet
- University of Michigan Health System: Alcohol Withdrawal
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Alcoholism
