Last Updated:
January 9th, 2025
Healthy Eating Programme
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” When it comes to addiction and mental health recovery, this couldn’t be more true. Many people struggling with addiction also deal with poor nutrition, often without even realising it. They may also not realise that the right food can make a huge difference in your recovery. Liberty House’s healthy eating programme for addiction is designed to supercharge your healing. With three meals daily and a regular routine, we will have you feeling fit, strong and ready for anything!
What do we mean by a healthy eating programme?
When you are using drugs or alcohol, eating well can stop being a priority. You might skip meals or eat whatever is fast, cheap or easy. The problem is that these eating habits don’t give your body what it needs. Over time, this can leave you feeling tired, run-down and even make it harder to fight off illness.
At Liberty House, healthy eating isn’t just a side note, it is a key part of our rehab programme. Our healthy eating programme for addiction recovery is all about giving your body what it needs to heal, feel stronger and start functioning like it’s supposed to again.
Our private chef works to create nutritional meals that give your body energy, support your brain and help you feel stronger as each day passes. It is not about fancy diets but about delicious, nourishing meals that fuel your recovery.
Liberty House’s healthy eating programme’s role in addiction treatment
At Liberty House, we make sure every meal is both tasty and packed with the nutrients your body needs to heal. This is just as important as any of the therapies you will undergo, as nutrition is a key part of physical and mental healing.
But the role of our healthy eating programme goes beyond that. First of all, eating regular meals at set times brings structure to your day, something sorely missing in many people struggling with addiction. Rehab treatment is all about structure because it creates good habits you can adopt in your post-rehab life. This helps keep those feelings of boredom and restlessness at bay which are common triggers for relapse.
Our healthy eating programme is also important for creating a community spirit. At Liberty House, mealtimes bring everyone together. You will share a table with all your recovery peers, and it’s a great chance to connect, chat and make friends. Our meals are spaced out to keep your energy steady, with the last one at 5 pm to set you up for a good night’s rest.
Each week, you can also make requests from our staff before they go shopping. They can help you make smart choices because while we all love a sugary treat, healthier snacks can keep you feeling balanced with no highs and crashes.
The benefits of a healthy eating programme when battling addiction
There are various short- and long-term benefits of healthy eating programmes for addiction that have made it a key part of treatment at Liberty House. Some of the most important include:
Education about healthy eating
One of the most important parts of our healthy eating programme is that you get the chance to learn about nutrition and how to take care of your body through food. Our kitchen team knows their stuff and you will have the chance to talk to them and pick up tips. You can learn about healthy eating, how to plan meals and even cook dishes you can enjoy during your stay and long after you leave.
A restored appetite
Addiction can mess with your appetite, making it hard to eat properly or even want food at all. For example, alcohol might seem like it’s filling you up at first because it gives you so many calories. But over time, many people stop eating real food and only drink alcohol, which causes weight loss and leaves their body without the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Our healthy eating programme for substance abuse recovery helps restore your natural appetite so you can start eating properly again.
Physical healing
Substances like alcohol or drugs can damage important organs like your liver, heart and stomach, which play a big role in keeping you healthy. Your gut health can also take a hit with some substances causing problems in the digestive system, leading to discomfort, nausea or other issues that make eating unpleasant. In recovery, nutritious meals are part of helping your body repair itself. Over time, your internal systems can start to recover, your digestion will improve and you will feel stronger and more balanced, inside and out.
A nutritional boost
When you first arrive at rehab, your body might need a quick pick-me-up of essential vitamins and minerals. Addiction can leave you running on empty, so the first step in our healthy eating programme for drug addiction and alcoholism is to kick-start your nutritional rebalancing and give your body the nutrients it’s been missing.
During the detox phase, which usually lasts 7 to 10 days, we assess your dietary needs and make sure your body gets everything it requires for a safe withdrawal. This will include maximum hydration, nutrient-packed meals and supplements to fill any nutritional gaps. This helps restore what drugs and alcohol have taken away and helps your body flush out toxins more easily.
The benefits of healthy eating after rehab
At Liberty House, we know that recovery doesn’t stop when you leave rehab and sticking to healthy eating habits at home is a key part of staying on track. That is why we don’t just focus on feeding you well while you are here, we also teach you how to take those good habits with you.
One of the major benefits is the importance of our healthy eating programme for managing cravings in addiction recovery. When you consistently eat healthy food at regular times, you will notice how it lifts your mood, reduces your stress and even makes it easier to tackle life’s challenges. All of this is crucial for reducing triggers and improving your ability to cope with any that do emerge.
You will also be able to pass on your new understanding of healthy eating to the people you care about, encouraging others to make better choices, too. Plus, there are few better ways to celebrate recovery milestones with your loved ones than with a sober home cooked meal together!
Want to know more about our healthy eating programme?
At Liberty House, we believe that healthy eating can be a game-changer for recovery. From rebuilding your strength to supporting productive daily routines, the food you eat plays a huge role in getting better and staying on track. A healthy diet isn’t just a bonus of our treatment; it is a key part of creating the balanced, fulfilling life you deserve. Reach out to Liberty House today and find out more about what’s on the menu!