Nutrition is an important part of creating healthy habits that promote a lifetime of wellness. Eating an excess of processed, fried, and sugary foods can lead to a variety of health problems such as obesity and diabetes, while a lack of nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables and lean proteins can affect your physical and mental health. Changing your eating habits to include more healthy choices is always a good idea, but it is important to avoid strict and often unhealthy fad diets in order to avoid the risks associated with deprivation. When you are in recovery from addiction, it can be tempting to create ambitious health and fitness goals alongside your sobriety. In early recovery, we often feel a renewed sense of confidence in our own capabilities, as well as more physical strength and stamina than we felt while abusing substances. It can be easy to fall into the trap of creating additional pressure for yourself in the form of a restrictive diet or a lofty fitness goal. While these pursuits are admirable, now is not the time to put excess strain on your mind and body. It is important to prioritize your sobriety by going easy on yourself in other areas of your life. Nutrition is an important part of any holistic approach to addiction recovery, and making healthy food choices whenever possible can keep you feeling strong and prevent relapse. However, if you are considering a diet plan that involves extreme calorie restriction or eliminates entire food groups, you will almost certainly experience a strong sense of deprivation that can lead to a desire to binge. In early sobriety, your brain is already adjusting to the deprivation of a substance it has learned to believe is necessary, but by dramatically decreasing normal food intake and cutting out occasional indulgences, you are creating unnecessary strain on your mental stability.
At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.