Nutrition and addiction are linked. It is commonly known that good nutrition is part of an overall healthy life.
The old adage “you are what you eat” does have some merit. The foods we eat affect even our mood and emotional well-being. Other than the effects poor nutrition has on our physical health, anything that alters the mood or emotions is dangerous for someone in recovery. It is often our inability to deal with emotions and the stresses of life that move us toward our drug of choice.
Physiologically, drugs trigger the dopamine effect in the brain. When the body processes alcohol, for instance, it turns it into sugar. Sugar in and of itself is not a friend to the body. It has the same dopamine effect on the body that drugs can have. How many times have you heard the phrase “sugar high?” You get the sudden boost of energy and then the hard crash afterwards. This adversely affects overall mental health.
It is important to recognize the link between nutrition and addiction, especially early in recovery.
Begin by adopting a healthier food plan. Our bodies are ridding themselves of the toxicity they have been exposed to. Nutrient-rich foods will help in sobriety as the body replenishes itself and rebuilds from its previous state of neglect.
Everything we eat or drink has an impact on us. Our bodies are designed to take nutrients from the food we ingest, but there are some foods that adversely affect our body’s ability to do so. Instead of eating foods that will hinder our overall well-being, it is important to give the body what it needs while not adding any further obstacles in recovery.
It can be difficult enough early in recovery to stay on track. Why add any further roadblocks to success? Understanding the link between nutrition and addiction can be a part in our overall well-being and mental health.
