Dietician Notes

Wellness

Jacie Bailey, the WAR Dietician put these notes together based on her presentation on Tuesday night. Video clip to come shortly... Pretty interesting. The Impact of Diet and Nutrition on Addiction RecoveryAlcohol contains almost as many calories per gram as fat.  So when drinking alcohol you experience a sense of fullness having eaten “empty calories”  which can lead to poor  eating habits and malnutritionAlcohol and drugs keep body from absorbing and using nutrients from food and getting rid of toxinsBecause addicts neglect their diet, they experience problems with diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite and inability to digest foods properly Nutrition impacts cravings for drugs and alcohol Food affects mood.  Caffeine and sugar contribute to mood swingsAlcohol and drug use prevent the body from processing 2 important amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan.  They are responsible for production of hormones related to emotional stability, mental clarity and general state of well-beingAddicts are not familiar with feeling hungry.  When the body is saying, “I’m hungry”, this is interpreted as stress and a craving to use stimulants When you feel better, you are less likely to start using alcohol and drugs again.  Balanced diet helps improve mood and health.  Eat 5-6 small meals and snacks daily to prevent hungerKeep body hydrated with waterEat protein, fat and good carbohydrates for every meal and snack to keep blood sugars balanced