The Essentials of a Balanced Diet

Substance abuse takes a devastating toll on the body and one of the most important aspects of a successful recovery is the care that’s put toward refueling and repairing your physical health. Intense drug addictions or alcoholism can cause damage to your liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, brain tissue, and other organs of the body that are essential to life and health. One of the simplest and most effective things you can do to facilitate a healthy recovery of your body after treatment is to maintain a balanced and wholesome diet.

What to Eat During Recovery

While fad diets come and go, the basics of nutrition remain unchanged over time. Humans are fortunate to have evolved a varied and diverse range of foods in the diet. We can eat and survive on a whole range of different food sources. However, some of these food sources are better for our body than others.

A good diet for any healthy human, especially one looking to revive and repair one’s health includes:

• Fresh Fruits
• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Lean sources of Protein like Eggs, Fish, Poultry, and Steak
• Nuts, Beans, and Legumes
• Whole Grains, Oats, and Granola
• A gallon of Water each day

Also try to find food sources that are organic and natural, not coated with pesticides, loaded with preservatives, and dusted with harmful chemicals.

What NOT to Eat During Recovery

Choosing the right foods to put in your body for fuel and nutrients is important, but knowing what to avoid is sometimes an easier way to navigate the food aisles at the grocery store. For optimal health, avoid eating the following:

• Sugar
• Processed Meats and Cheeses (like deli lunch meats)
• Packaged and Processed Snack Foods (anything wrapped in plastic or available at the gas station convenience store is usually unhealthy)
• Excessive Salt
• Deep Fried Foods
• Fatty cakes and pastries
• Excessive processed bread (like bleached white Wonder bread)

If you follow these general guidelines, you’ll have a nice healthy, well-rounded diet. You don’t have to stick to intense meal plans or fad diets. Just eat sensibly and naturally to fuel your natural, living body.