Paying attention to what you eat is essential if you are in addiction recovery. Substance use may have deprived your body of nutrients while dumping toxins into your system. During recovery, your nutritional intake serves the double function of detoxing the body while replenishing your body with essential nutrients. After medical detox, a diet high in superfoods is necessary.

The Importance of Eating Superfoods in Recovery

It is hard to overstate the importance of eating healthy foods because they give your body and brain the essential vitamins and minerals they need for healing. Changes in this area of your health can boost your energy levels and speed up your recovery progress.

Superfoods are high-nutrient items that you need to prioritize. Think of them as hyper-efficient “fuel” for your body, helping it restore and maintain energy. Superfoods can also elevate your mood because there is a close link between food and mood. Put good food in, and get a good mood out.

Superfoods Help Your Key Organs Heal

Many people with a history of addiction also have heart or lung diseases. Healing the damage substance use does to your body takes a long time. However, superfoods rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and omega-3s are great agents for healing these key organs. They can even improve your blood flow, benefiting the heart and the brain.

The human liver suffers greatly from long-term substance use. This organ is responsible for detoxifying and ejecting the harmful chemicals and free radicals you digest. A dysfunctional liver may lead to a host of health issues. Superfoods high in sulfur can help detox the liver and repair the damage. 

#1. Leafy Greens

Maybe you have been living a quick-and-easy fast-food diet for a long time. It may be a big change to cook for yourself and add more leafy greens to your diet. However, for your body and brain to heal, this is an important step. 

Try adopting a largely plant-based diet to include plenty of leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and bok choy. These superfoods can be easily found in most grocery stores. When you cook, make sure to avoid using fatty oils.

#2. Foods Rich in Omega-3

Omega-3 is widely known for its benefits in preventing heart disease. As a polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 can heal cell membranes throughout the body by making hormones that regulate blood flow and reduce inflammation.

Common superfoods rich in omega-3 include flax seeds, chia seeds, and salmon. Try regularly building these into your meals. Some health experts recommend eating salmon or omega-3-rich seafood one to two times a week. 

#3. Detoxifier Plants

To help the liver recover from the damage of substance addiction, add foods high in sulfur or antioxidants to your diet. These foods are great detoxifiers, and most are in the plant-based category. For example, garlic and onions are powerful detoxifying foods. 

Detoxifier plants include lemon, beetroot, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. They can help eliminate the buildup of toxins caused by substance addiction. In the fruits category, try prunes, raisins, berries, plums, oranges, grapefruit, and apples as detoxifying food items.

#4. Fuel for Your Brain

Your brain is a major organ that suffers significantly from the negative impacts of substance use. Certain healthy foods have the power to facilitate brain healing. Prioritize these foods during recovery to help restore your memory and cognitive abilities.

Good brain foods are high in flavonoids. These include green tea and citrus fruits, which are known to boost brainpower. Foods with healthy fats and rich minerals also restore brain cells. Such foods include avocados, walnuts, tomatoes, ginger, and lentils. Adding these superfoods to your diet is part of a holistic approach to health.

Diversity in Superfood Diets Matters

A healthy, balanced diet is one with great diversity. So even when you include some of your favorite superfoods, make sure to diversify your diet by including a wide range of them. Perhaps you could try regrouping the foods in your kitchen to see if you have plenty of whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich items such as tofu and non-sugar yogurt.

Take tofu, for example. This is a plant-based superfood packed with protein, minerals, and essential amino acids. It is also a versatile ingredient for many meals. Similar soy-based foods can significantly alleviate symptoms of fatty liver disease. 

While maintaining a healthy diet with these superfoods, you should also avoid certain food items. The first category is foods with additives and preservatives. These will disrupt digestion and overwork the liver. Most processed foods belong to this category.

The second group is sugary foods. Many people in recovery develop cross-addictions to sugar because it can have addictive effects on the brain. Lastly, avoid foods or drinks with caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands and may depress the immune system.

Many foods can be good in moderation. For example, you don’t have to cut out sugar entirely. However, it’s best to change your diet to consist mainly of healthy, healing foods and save sweets, processed foods, and junk food for special circumstances.

Have you given much thought to dietary changes during recovery? Do you know that a healthy diet high in superfoods can greatly speed up your recovery? Including detox-friendly superfoods in your new sober lifestyle is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself during and after treatment. Nourishing your body by eating foods that promote optimal health can support the healing process. Work with a team of health experts who know how to integrate science-based nutrition therapy into your addiction treatment plan. Laguna Shores Recovery cares for the whole person. We embrace a holistic approach to recovery, and nutrition is the first step. Call us today at 954-688-5806.