When someone first enters recovery, they have just undergone a significant change in their life that they hope to sustain over the long term. In the past, drugs or alcohol or both have taken up a considerable amount of their time and now those parts of their days and nights need more positive activities.
Socializing with old friends and new ones that they may have met during rehab or aftercare is essential, but not putting themselves in a stressful situation or one that could instigate triggers or cravings is paramount. Most people find go-to places they like to visit repeatedly, whether it’s a store, restaurant, or coffee house, and one of the keys to maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol is to find places you like that fit your new lifestyle. Florida is a grand landscape for food that helps nurture the body and mind while giving you a healthy environment to enjoy. This blog aims to help you understand the food recovery scene throughout Florida and how healthy eating helps.
A Healthy Body & Mind Stays in Focus
One of the best things you can do for yourself during recovery is treat your body with the same care you would your every breath. That means nourishing your body with good food. Staying healthy by tracking what you consume could help build regular moments to help with recovery. Favorite food spots around the Florida area become a community for others who share similar palates. Others who share similar recovery journeys may even meet and build camaraderie. There are plenty of reasons to look forward to your foodie adventure should you decide to rehabilitate in Florida.
Fresh Kitchen
With a couple of locations in Tampa, Fresh Kitchen is fast food like you’ve never seen before. Fresh Kitchen, or FK for short, serves delicious food to provide nourishing meals in a community-oriented environment. Filling a niche in the fast-food market, Fresh Kitchen offers food they refer to as “fresh-to-order,” which means even though it’s quick, each dish is made just for you. This is great for people who like to be on the go or are taking a break from outdoor treatment to grab a quick bite.
Farmacy Vegan Kitchen & Bakery
Farmacy Vegan Kitchen and Bakery is a quick-service restaurant offering a well-rounded, 100% plant-based menu. Their goal is to provide a variety of familiar foods like burgers and cheesesteaks using plant-based ingredients. They also have fresh baked goods that are both clean and delicious daily on a rotating basis. If you are looking for a way to be healthy and remain guilt-free, this is a great option. With the plant-based menu, you help rather than harm your body’s recovery.
Bamboozle Cafe
Bamboozle Cafe in the heart of Tampa is an excellent spot for Asian fusion with a great story. Owner and founder Lynn Pham came up with the idea for a healthy choice Asian cuisine restaurant one sleepless night. Her love for travel, food, and a healthy and active lifestyle coalesced into the cafe as it is today. She promises her patrons that she doesn’t compromise flavor over health or health over taste.
Centered on Vietnamese with influences from throughout Asia, Bamboozle offers various fresh rolls, Pho, Banh Mi, rice dishes, salads, noodles, and a create-your-own-bowl option. To drink, there are milk teas, smoothies, Vietnamese coffee, and specialty iced drinks like homemade ginger ale. Bamboozle Cafe is a healthy choice to eat, and it has various options. It is a great place to try something new while nurturing your body’s diet.
How to Eat At Restaurants That Serve Alcohol & Not Fall off The Wagon
Some experts attest that relapsing is all part of being in recovery. No matter where you stand on the topic, learning and utilizing relapse prevention skills is integral to your sobriety. There will come a time when you feel comfortable going out to restaurants and even bars with your friends, family, and loved ones. Here are a few tips on not falling off the wagon when you eat at restaurants:
First of all, check your disposition before you go out. If you’ve had a stressful day at work or school, maybe tonight is not the time to add stressors or triggers to your life. It’s always ok to say no, whether you’ve been in recovery for ten weeks or ten years.
Second, and this might seem counterintuitive, before going out to lunch or dinner, be sure you’re not overly hungry or thirsty, which could lead you to make a wrong choice.
Third, know your triggers and be prepared to leave if you ever feel uncomfortable. This can mean taking your car even if you’d usually be going with someone else and having a prepared excuse so you don’t feel self-conscious about leaving if needed. Remember, your health is essential in any situation, and you shouldn’t let anything else affect your decisions.
Nourishing Foods For You
So maybe you still need some time to scope out the restaurant scene to find your niche, as there are plenty of locations, but that doesn’t stop you from eating healthy. Addiction to drugs and alcohol takes a significant toll on your overall health and well-being, and arguably, one of the most detrimental ways is inadequate nutrition. When in active addiction, maintaining a balanced diet is not the top priority for most people, and you may have noticed that you skip meals or eat foods that offer little to no nutritional value. Addressing this in recovery allows your body to heal and promotes better brain functioning. Nutrient-dense foods are a great way to improve brain health and thus positively impact how you feel overall.
Nourishing Your Body During Recovery
Overall, nourishing your body during your treatment is a significant factor in making space for a better you. The Florida food scene and community is a great place to be healthy and try new foods. Find a new familiar spot, unlike things from your past, as you build towards a new you. With plenty of healthy options and excellent guidance from renowned treatment facilities, enjoying food in Florida can be essential to your rehabilitation. If you know a friend or loved one seeking help and need more information or to speak to a specialist, please call Serenity Springs Recovery Center at 386-423-4540.
