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Foods That Help With Withdrawal

Nutrition is an important factor in recovering from addiction. Drugs and alcohol wreak havoc on the body and many addicts become malnourished and anemic. When you are going through withdrawal it is best for you to prepare your body ahead of time if you are malnourished. By building your body up you will be able to withstand the rigors of withdrawal symptoms much better, because your body will be stronger. There are specific foods that help with withdrawal and also keep you strong long after you have recovered from detox.

4 Minute Read | Published Sep 08 2023 | Updated Mar 12 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by

Learn how to feel better when withdrawing from Opiates from BetterAddictionCare.com

Knowing what foods to eat while detoxing from drugs can actually help you heal quicker and offset difficult symptomatic episodes of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. Fruits, vegetables, oils and nuts are known for their nutritional benefits and healing properties. Certain herbs and teas also have nutritional and healing properties that will also help ease the transition through the detox phase. Here is a list of foods to eat while detoxing from drugs or alcohol:

  1. Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes are an excellent cleansing agent that helps the body flush out toxins and residues, and they also cleanse the liver. It is best to begin eating fruit in the morning before eating other foods, to get a jump-start on cleaning out harmful toxins. All types of fresh fruit can be added to just about anything you eat, such as salads, cheese, yogurt, granola, and oatmeal, plus you can also add a few slices to your tea or water for a refreshing, hydrating and cleansing drink.

  1. Tea

Green tea has wonderful healing properties and provides powerful antioxidants to your body. Chamomile tea is a wonderful tea for calming the stomach and helping you relax and sleep, and is another of the foods that help with withdrawal.

  1. Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables like kale, mustard greens, spinach, and romaine lettuce provide a powerhouse of nutritional benefits to the body. These foods are loaded with chlorophyll, which reverses anemia, strengthens the blood, enhances oxygen intake, helps cleanse the pancreas and kidneys, improves digestion, strengthens the immune system and is anti-inflammatory. Chlorophyll works at the cellular level to restore and replenish red blood cells and regenerate the body. Alcoholics are vitamin deficient in B1, B6 and Folic Acid, so green leafy vegetables are an important food for recovering alcoholics. Vegetables come in a variety of colors and each has healing properties that are beneficial to the body, so it is wise to include them all in your diet.

  1. Hydration

Hydration is especially important for anyone who is detoxing, especially if they are vomiting or have diarrhea. To replace electrolytes you can drink Gatorade, Powerade or coconut water. Make sure that you drink enough pure water throughout the day. You can also use a juicer for fruits or vegetables to make smoothies and protein shakes that are nutritionally packed with vitamins and minerals.

  1. Complex Carbohydrates

Foods that will help with withdrawal include complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, whole-grain bread, beans, nuts, seeds and brown rice. These foods will increase your energy level and metabolism, improve sleep, enhance brain functions, reduce anxiety, and aid in digestion.

  1. Dairy

Foods to eat while detoxing from drugs should include dairy, which provides essential vitamins and the live cultures in yogurt promote good digestive health.

How to feel better when withdrawing from opiates includes avoiding processed foods and saturated fats. Eat preferably 9 to 12 meals of organic fruits and vegetables throughout the day. For protein include lentils, peas, beans and other legumes as a replacement for animal protein. Other foods that will aid the liver in the cleansing process are broccoli, cabbage, kale, watercress, Brussels sprouts, green tea, artichokes, parsley, cilantro and green leafy vegetables. These are all foods that help with withdrawal from opiates, and other drugs and alcohol as well.

Supporting your body with nutritious foods that help with withdrawal will help to ease withdrawal symptoms and restore your body back to sound health. Nutritious food assists the liver in removing toxins and drug residue, and speeds up the healing process. You will be as good as new when you eat the right foods that help with withdrawal of drugs or alcohol.

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