Taking control of your alcohol cravings is integral to your recovery. Resisting alcohol can be a daily challenge and it is these cravings that can cause you to relapse. There are steps you can take to help manage and even prevent alcohol cravings. For example, did you know that incorporating certain healthy and nutritious foods into your diet can curb your alcohol cravings?
Here’s our guide to some of the best foods to help your body to resist the urge to drink.
During a craving, addicts report feeling an uncontrollable and overwhelming urge to drink. These feelings can come in waves or last for long periods of time.
Cravings can be triggered for many different reasons and they can appear from nowhere, making them even more challenging. People, places and situations that you associate with alcohol can often trigger a craving.
Reducing alcohol cravings with certain healthy foods can be a key element to changing your lifestyle and habits, with this advice try to incorporate these into your daily routine.
We all know that we should be consuming a diet full of fruit and vegetables. But did you know that they can also help to reduce cravings quickly and effectively?
When you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal, you lack the good mood hormone dopamine. But fruits such:
All help to raise your dopamine levels, try in a breakfast smoothie or morning snack, even as a dessert. Eating vegetables regularly, particularly greens. Such as:
All of which are rich in vitamin B, meaning they can help your body to repair itself after long-term alcohol abuse. It is also known that green vegetables are good at liver metabolism, which may also help to remove alcohol from your system.
Eating as many healthy fruits and vegetables as possible will help reduce your cravings and help your body repair.
Research has also indicated that dairy products can help to reduce alcohol cravings. Providing you with plenty of vitamin D, potassium and protein, dairy products can help to renew the gut lining, replenish any vitamin deficiencies, and keep you full.
Of course, all dairy products should be consumed in moderation.
If you’re battling alcohol cravings, you should try to eat as much fish and chicken as possible. Why? Eating a diet packed with healthy proteins can not only help to improve the quality of your sleep, but it can also boost your overall mood, making it easier to avoid alcohol.
Just remember to choose foods rich in lean protein, such as chicken or turkey breast, or fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel.
Nuts are a delicious healthy snack that provides the perfect pick-me-up in between meals to help you curb your cravings. Containing high amounts of healthy fats, they can provide a fantastic energy boost.
Nuts are also rich in many vitamins and minerals including vitamin E, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Carbs can play a central role in controlling alcohol cravings. Alcohol contains simple carbs, which are easy to digest, meaning your body can start to crave them when you stop drinking.
To keep these cravings under control, try to include complex carbs such as: wholegrain rice, pasta, bread, in your diet. These take longer to break down in your stomach, keeping you stay fuller for longer, while providing extra energy and reducing cravings. This habit change may also give you more sustained energy, rather than relying on sugar.
Here at ANA Treatments, we provide individually tailored detoxification programmes that have been carefully designed to help our clients to rebuild their lives, gain confidence and rediscover their self-worth. Our mission is to provide our patients with the resilience and tools they need to live a healthy, responsible and productive life, free of alcohol.
For us, it’s all about encouraging recovery through support, respect and teaching vital life skills. For further information about our drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Hampshire, please get in touch.
