The process of detox and rehab are very tough on the body. Depending on the length of time you were using, your nutrition may not have been ideal. No matter what condition you’re in when you enter rehab, your diet and fluid intake will have a huge impact on your mood and your well-being as you work through the process.
What are the best foods to eat when in a drug rehab facility? First of all, you will need fluids. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you will likely need plenty of fruits and vegetables; these will not only increase your water intake but will also boost your fiber intake. If your diet has been poor for a long time or you’ve been abusing alcohol, your gut needs support.
Don’t Cut Calories
Your body needs nutrients and calories to rebuild. You also want to avoid the mood swings that can come with a diet that restricts your access to calories. While a diet high in sugar will not sustain you effectively in rehab, starvation is much worse. Focus on healthy fats. Eggs offer access to Vitamin B12, which is good for your memory and mood. Low fat fish offers protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Try to consume protein with every meal. An egg with your breakfast, chicken salad for lunch and a hamburger for dinner can be a good base for your rehab food program. Next, plan your vegetable portions.
Fresh veggies are loaded with antioxidants that can help your body shed toxins. Drug use and poor eating habits can be very hard on your gut. Take care to add raw vegetables slowly; lettuce on your sandwich for lunch, a snack of carrots and celery sticks, and a small salad with your dinner is a nice way to space out your consumption of raw vegetables. Do avoid cruciferous veggies in bulk when you first enter rehab.
Too much raw cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower when your gut is learning to manage lettuce can lead to a lot of discomfort. Make sure you also have space on your plate for raw fruits. An apple can be a great morning snack and, paired with your coffee, can help overcome any gut sluggishness or constipation that is causing you discomfort. If you find that raw produce is difficult because your teeth need attention in the early days of rehab, see if you can get them cut into bite-sized pieces before you attempt them. Starches should be whole-grain whenever you can manage.
Many working through the discomfort of rehab long for comfort foods or sweet treats. If you crave sugar, try whole wheat toast with jam or a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon. If you long for mac & cheese, try to keep the portion small and pair it with a serving of cooked veggies. Avoid meals that feature only one food. Your gut needs balance to come back online after the stress of detox.
No matter what you are eating, make sure you are always drinking water. Your cleansing organs, including your kidneys, liver and gut, require water to function effectively. Asking your body to run without water is like asking a car to run without oil. Dehydration can also be hard on your brain. Because many drugs damage your ability to build and maintain memories, staying hydrated is the first step to healing your mind and spirit. Keep an eye on your caffeine intake as well. If you’re allowed coffee or tea, try to stop drinking those beverages at noon.
Too much caffeine late in the day can impact the quality of your rest, damage the balance in your stomach and lead to low hydration levels. Rebuilding your physical health as you work through the challenges of rehab will take focus and care. If you’re on a special diet, do your best to follow it and avoid unhealthy snacks. Treats high in sugar may taste good, but they can be agitating and lead to poor choices. Ready to get started? Call us today at 833-497-3812 for more information on how to support your body through the work of rehab.