YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT –
Aug. 13, 2023 – You’d think all the health and nutrition classes I was taking to become a dietitian may have swayed me away from alcohol as a college student, but alas, they did not. Even post-graduation and into my early career, I didn’t recognize alcohol was sabotaging various parts of my life, including my diet. In reality, it wasn’t until I got sober that I discovered how drinking affects your diet firsthand. Everything changed—from the people I hung out with to the places I went. Even how I socialized. I didn’t realize that other, less noticeable parts of my life were changing, too.
Today, with over eight years of sobriety under my belt, I have the clarity to see how my relationship with alcohol was wreaking havoc on my food choices and eating habits.
When I decided I was better off without alcohol, my life took a complete turnabout. At that point, I knew that if I kept drinking, I wouldn’t have the career and family I dreamed of. In the beginning, I put in a lot of work to protect my sobriety, all while grieving my old life. Final thoughts
For many, it’s possible to responsibly drink alcohol and maintain a healthy relationship with food. If you indulge in adult beverages, avoid skipping meals, eat a variety of foods, and drink plenty of water. However, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol if you’re frequently dehydrated, overeating, or spending more time eating greasy, fried foods after having a few too many drinks.
When I quit drinking, improving my relationship with food was the last thing on my mind. I never imagined that ditching alcohol would improve all areas of my life, including my diet, but I’m so glad it did.
