In the first entry in this series about eating in recovery, we considered the different kinds of foods that make up a healthy diet. We wrote about lean proteins, colorful fruits and vegetables, and several more categories. (You can read the full entry here.)
In this entry, we want to get more specific by focusing on just two things: hydration and breakfast. Both are important for your health and your recovery, but folks also have a tendency to overlook or neglect them for a variety of reasons.
Before we jump in, our standard disclaimer: We are not nutritionists. If you are thinking about making significant changes to your diet, we recommend you talk with your doctor.
With that said, let’s start this conversation with a look at hydration.
Wet Your Whistle with Water
Let’s face it: There are a whole lot of beverage manufacturers and vendors who have a vested interest in getting you to drink their products. That might be soda (including so-called healthy soda). It might be fancy coffee drinks. It might be a new flavor of juice or juice-adjacent beverage. And it might be an energy drink that promises to see you through your day with enviable alertness.
Consumers spend huge amounts of money on these various beverages each year. Still and all, when it comes to a beverage that provides the hydration your body needs, it is mighty hard to beat water. If you live in a community with safe drinking water, your best source of hydration is straight out of the tap. If your community’s water is less safe, you may want to invest in a good filtration system or rely on bottled water. In any event, drinking plenty of water is a great way to support your health and, by extension, your recovery.
Now, we can hear some of you objecting already. And you probably have one specific beverage on your mind.
Coffee. What about your morning coffee?
We have good news. Coffee and tea can also be healthful beverage choices. After all, they are primarily water. We would advise against adding too much sugar to either beverage, but all in all, they are good choices. Note, however, that you should cut down on your caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening to support quality sleep. Sleep, like good nutrition, is a pillar of your ongoing recovery.
Take a Break for Breakfast
By some estimates, 25 percent of Americans do not eat breakfast. That is, of course, one out of every four people. Given the prevalent idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day (we would argue that every meal is important), why would so many folks skip it?
There are probably a number of reasons, but certainly a prevalent one is that folks tend to be in a rush in the morning. They might have gotten up a little late (again). They might have been indecisive about what to wear. They might have lost their shoes or their keys, or their wallet. They might have to get the kids to school.
Whatever the specific reason, these folks do not get the benefits of a healthy breakfast—or of any kind of breakfast. Even if you grab a donut or something else that is not particularly healthy, you give your body some energy to get you going for the first part of your day.
Ideally, though, you might make time for a healthier morning meal. That might include a protein (like an egg), a whole grain (like wheat toast), and some fruit (like a banana). Enjoy the food with, yes, a cup of coffee, if that’s your preference. Fancy or simple, these kinds of breakfasts support your health and your recovery.
That, we would argue, is worth getting up a few minutes earlier each day.
Next Time: Lunch and the Afternoon Snack
In the next entry in our series, we will take a look at lunch—and how to make lunchtime healthy, relaxing, and recharging. We will also consider the best options for an afternoon snack because many of us can use a little something to get us through to the end of the day.
Let Us Help You Get Your Recovery Underway
Located in Henryville, Indiana, Wooded Glen Recovery Center is dedicated to helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our approach is personalized and evidence-based, which means you can count on treatment that is specific to your needs and grounded in best practices.
Wooded Glen Recovery Center is consistently named among the best substance use treatment facilities in the country. That ranking attests to our high levels of training, years of experience, and spirit of empathy.
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, the time to get help is right now. Via medically monitored withdrawal management and a robust rehabilitation program, we can help you get your recovery off to a strong start. And when your treatment comes to an end, you can still count on the team at Wooded Glen to provide ongoing support and resources. We are ready to get started whenever you are.