ALCOHOLISM (back to nutrition facts A to Z menu)

Alcoholism Nutrition facts

In alcoholism, many alcoholics suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) which must be addressed so that cravings can be reduced.  Many alcoholics tend not to eat; they substitute alcohol, a calorie-rich, nutrient-poor substance, for food.  This leads to under-nutrition and a deficiency in many nutrients.  Therefore, anyone suffering from alcoholism needs to consider nutrition and to supplement all nutrients, although certain nutrients will make it easier to withdraw from alcohol.

 Alcoholism Counselling

Join AA or a similar group to obtain the support you need.

 Alcoholism Diet advice and nutrition facts

• Ensure you eat three healthy meals a day, with two or three sugar-free snacks in between.  This will help you keep your blood sugar balanced, and reduce cravings.

• Avoid sugar in all forms, fruit juice, dried fruits and grapes. 

• Also avoid white bread, pastries, white rice and mash potatoes. 

• Eat instead plenty of high-fibre wholefoods, such as vegetables and brown rice, fruit, nuts.  These provide more nutrients than refined food and help keep the blood sugar stable so cravings are reduced.

• Eat fish, beans, lentils, organic meat and tofu.   

• For snacks between meals eat a few nuts, a handful of seeds, plus a piece of fruit.  Investigate food allergies/intolerances; if you are ‘allergic’ to one of  the ingredients commonly found in your favourite alcoholic drink, say wheat or barley or malt or yeast, then eating these foods can perpetuate your cravings for the alcohol.  

Health Supplements

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below: (please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

(This is a long list, but they're ALL important.

• 1 x Multi-vitamin and mineral (e.g. VM75 from Solgar)

• 1 x Advanced Antioxidant Formula (from Solgar)

• 3 x Klamath Lake Blue Green Algae capsules (Aquasource) (This is detoxifying, so drink water).

• L-Glutamine, 1 teaspoon in water 3 times per day (from Higher Nature).

• Vitamin B Complex twice a day  (Biocare)

• Vitamin C  1000mg twice a day  (Biocare)

• 1 x Magnesium Pantothenate (from BioCare) (stress and detoxification of alcohol)

• 2 x True Food Calcium and Magnesium  (Higher Nature)

• 3 x teaspoon of Lecithin granules (recommend Higher Nature's, which is high in phosphatidyl choline).

• 1 x Digestive enzyme with main meals (e.g. Polyzyme Forte from BioCare – do not use if you suffer from gastritis or an ulcer)  

• Solgar Chromium Picolinate 200mcg twice a day

• 2 x Alpha Lipoic Acid (Solgar)

Recommended Health Books (back to top)

health book - Beyond The Influence
health book - Intervention
health book - I’ll Quit Tomorrow: A Practical Guide to Alcoholism Treatment
health book - Kill the Craving

Also see Allergies and Hypoglycaemia