According to the The Blackberry Recovery Center “Proper nutrition is important for a healthy life.  If you suffer from a substance use disorder, nutrition is even more vital. It is one of the essential links to a successful and long-term recovery”.  During periods of addiction, many people develop poor nutritional habits.  Some of the most common effects of substance use include: suppressed appetite, poor diets, overeating and malnourishment.   The Mason County (EFNEP) Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistant and the (IOP) Intensive Outpatient Program of Comprehend, Inc. worked with a group of fourteen adults to help alleviate this problem.  Using the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum, participants were taught lessons on MyPlate, meal planning; eating better on a budget; shopping wisely for food; label reading and keeping food safe, in addition to core nutrition lessons.

As a result of these classes the overall diet quality of the participants improved by 57%, food resource management by 64%, and food safety by 55%.  One participant stated that before this class she didn’t think eating healthy could be affordable and easy.