Eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is important for everyone, but it can be especially crucial for those in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). However, “diet culture” is full of bland, boring foods that don’t nourish your mind (or your tastebuds) as much as they nourish your body. Eating should be a fun, enjoyable experience while still helping you build a nutritious lifestyle in recovery. 

The Importance of a Nutritious Lifestyle in Recovery

You probably know that substance use affects your brain and body in a variety of ways. One of those ways is your metabolism. Your metabolism is basically how your body processes and uses the things you eat to make energy. Different people have naturally different metabolic rates due to genetics and lifestyle. However, substances can also change how your metabolism functions. 

Depending on the substance, your metabolism can either slow down or speed up drastically. For example, stimulants like amphetamines can increase your metabolic rate, which means your body is processing food much faster than it should. This can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Similarly, many prescription antidepressants can slow your metabolic rate, which can cause weight gain. On top of that, chemicals in many addictive substances can actually change how you experience food. THC, a chemical in marijuana, for example, can make you crave foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates. 

All of these effects and more can lead to an innutritious diet. That can have serious implications for your health and recovery. A healthy and balanced diet can help heal your body and mind, which is something we emphasize at Laguna Shores Recovery Center. After using for a long time, organs can become damaged. But our bodies are amazing at healing themselves if we give them the nutrients they need. Proper nutrition can provide your cells with the healthy energy they need to multiply and repair the damage from substance abuse.  

Recipes to Help Get You Started

Wanting to have a balanced diet is the first step, but planning healthy meals can be hard. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutrients, and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of time either. Here are some nutrient-rich and easy recipes for a nutritious lifestyle in recovery. 

Asparagus and Chickpea Grain Bowl

This is a great recovery recipe because quinoa and chickpeas provide you with a big dose of protein to keep you full and satisfied. All you need is quinoa, asparagus, canned chickpeas, and feta cheese. Cook your quinoa on the stovetop as you would rice but with a little bit of olive oil added to the water. Meanwhile, roast your asparagus and chickpeas in the oven to your desired tenderness (make sure you rinse your chickpeas first!). Toss those together in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Top it with feta cheese, and you’re done! If you need a little extra burst of flavor, cherry tomatoes can make a great addition to this recipe. 

Green Blueberry Smoothie

Smoothies are an easy way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables in one delicious drink. All you need are frozen blueberries (or the fruit of your choice), spinach, flax seeds, chia seeds, greek yogurt, and some honey. Blend all of that together and you have a yummy meal or snack that packs a vitamin punch while still tasting great. 

Pesto Salmon

Fish, like salmon, are full of Omega-3 fatty acids which support blood circulation to the brain. If you don’t love the taste of fish, salmon can be a great option. It has a more meaty and less fishy flavor. Bake your salmon with a couple of tablespoons of store-bought pesto on top (or make your own if you’re up to it). When it’s cooked through, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and enjoy! Pesto is full of antioxidants and vitamins, which makes this dish extra nutrient dense.   

Setting You up for a Nutritious Lifestyle in Recovery

At Laguna Shores Recovery Center, we believe that sobriety is the first step toward a life of wellness. After that, though, there are a lot of other factors to consider. Your diet is an important one. That’s why we teach our clients life skills, like meal planning and cooking, during treatment and recovery.

Learning about what to put in your body and how to make it taste good can be an essential step on the road to sustained wellness. These are skills that you can take with you into the real world post-treatment to keep your body and mind healthy. Cooking and eating can also be a great source of joy in your life, and that should always be the number one goal: to enjoy and appreciate the things you eat.  

Laguna Shores facilities are located in Orange County, California, just a few miles from the beach. Our rehab and outpatient programs are designed to help people struggling with SUD get their life started by getting sober. Beyond sobriety, we can also help you achieve life-long wellness by teaching you life skills that can improve your overall well-being. Your life doesn’t need to be controlled by addiction. You deserve a healthy, happy life full of joy and enrichment. We would be happy to bring you into our home and help you get there. To learn about our programs and find out if Laguna Shores Recovery is right for you, call us at 954-688-5806.