On the heels of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics March’s “National Nutrition Month®,” we wanted to discuss the importance of diet and nutrition in recovery. In every substance abuse recovery there is the goal of changing negative behaviors into positive ones. Eating right, relaxing and exercising all play an important role in helping you make these changes. Choosing to eat healthy is crucial to sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

We naturally assume that food affects our physical body but it also affects our mood. Deficiencies in amino acids and nutrients like folic acid and B-vitamins can have tremendous negative impact on how we feel. Sugar and caffeine are two big culprits in sabotaging one’s mood.