You have almost certainly heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” It is a memorable way to note that the quality of the food a person eats has a direct effect on the quality of their health. The idea is that if you keep those words in mind, you are more likely to make healthy choices when it comes to food.
The idea that you are what you eat applies to everyone, of course. Eating healthfully is one of the very best things you can do to support your well-being. If you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, however, the stakes are even higher than your general health.
That is true because healthy eating can help you build a firm foundation for your recovery. And so, we would like to suggest an additional note to the old line. “You are what you eat—and your recovery can be, too.”
Okay, we admit it isn’t as catchy or memorable. But it is true and important to keep in mind. So important, in fact, that this blog post kicks off a series about making good choices when it comes to eating. We are going to start things off by considering hydration and breakfast.
Why We Like Water
Let us state the obvious: There are a lot of different things you can drink in the world. Even setting aside anything that is alcoholic, there is a seemingly endless list of other options. A range of coffee and coffee drinks, various kinds of tea, different milk options, energy drinks and recovery drinks, and so many flavors of soda we can’t even begin to begin to count.
You probably have a few favorites among all those categories. But when it comes to supporting your recovery, your favorite should probably be something quite simple: Water.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of water is that it is an efficient and effective way to hydrate yourself. Proper hydration underpins your health, so getting enough water each day is essential (here are the Mayo Clinic’s recommendations regarding how much water to drink).
Water offers other advantages, too. Assuming you live in a community with safe drinking water, it comes from your tap at a low cost. It has no calories or sugar. It is free of caffeine, so it won’t impact your sleep. Indeed, it is difficult to think of a situation in which water would not be a great choice when you are picking a beverage.
Other drinks are, generally speaking, okay to enjoy from time to time. But if you focus on getting enough water, you will be doing your health and your recovery a favor.
Begin Your Day With Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast, there are arguably two common problems. The first is settling for something quick—often something full of sugar or heavily processed or otherwise less than healthy. The second is skipping breakfast altogether.
In many cases, the solution to both of those problems may involve building in a bit of extra time in your morning routine. After all, when you are rushed, you are far more likely to grab something that provides some calories but not much else or simply go without a morning meal. If you get intentional about breakfast, the extra time will be well worth it in terms of health and recovery benefits.
But what should you eat for breakfast? Ideally, you want a healthy combination of fiber and protein along with plenty of additional nutrients. That might look like a couple of eggs, some whole wheat toast, and a piece of fruit. This article offers up some great options for your morning meal. Give it a look and then add some healthy breakfast choices to your shopping list.
More Healthy and Delicious Ideas to Come
As we have noted, this is the first entry in a series about healthy eating and recovery. Along the way, we will consider lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner, and late-night snacks. We will consider the ways sugar can upend your recovery, and how gardening and cooking can both be great practices in recovery. We will wrap things up with an overview of the ways in which various foods contribute to your well-being.
Reclaim Your Life From Drugs or Alcohol
Located in Mesa, Arizona, Canyon Vista Recovery Center helps individuals who are struggling with drugs or alcohol by providing evidence-based, personalized treatment plans. In addition, Canyon Vista is ready and able to address mental health disorders that might be tangled up with your substance use disorder.
Our program includes medically supervised detoxification so that you can free your body and brain of substances in a safe environment that is free of temptation. Rehabilitation follows detox, and our approach is built around group and individual therapy. In rehab, you will learn strategies and gain resources for your recovery journey. Once treatment comes to an end, our alumni program keeps you connected to others who understand what you have been through in the past and what you are going through in recovery. The alumni program also ensures you have ongoing access to Canyon View’s expertise and support.
When you are ready to make a transformational change, Canyon View Recovery Center is here to help.
