Nutrition Pathway a big success

On March 24, 2026, NCPSG hosted a Pathway Session on how nutrition can be a pathway to recovery. KC Cannon, ND, and Annie Harrington, MSN, both of Wellness Insights of Darien, were the speakers. I am grateful that they agreed to participate.

KC and Annie started off, in layman’s terms, explaining the rationale behind good nutrition, and how it helps those who are recovering from addiction and co-occurring disorders. I was touched that both KC and Annie were willing to share how they found inspiration to enter the nutrition field. KC became a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) because of a battle with lymphoma (now in full remission). Annie sought to get additional training in nutrition science because of her diagnosis of autoimmune disease.

Without overwhelming us with jargon, KC and Annie talked about the science behind why food is medicine. They touched on antioxidants, found in colorful plant foods and healthy fats, that defend against free radicals that cause cell damage in the body.

They also addressed the connection between alcohol use disorder and chronic inflammation. Excessive alcohol intake alters the body’s immune response, leading to chronic inflammation driven by: 1) “leaky gut” as the gut microbiome gets disrupted; 2) damage to the liver, which normally plays a vital role in detoxifying the body; and 3) brain inflammation and cognitive decline.

KC and Annie addressed the 3 key macronutrients to a healthy diet: proteins, fats, and carbs. We should eat 25-30 grams of protein per meal, and with our fat intake we should focus on omega-3 fatty acids which can help with mood swings and cravings. For carbohydrates, emphasize high-fiber foods like grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Sugar should be minimized to reduce cravings.

Our speakers clarified the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, and their impact on supporting a healthy microbiome. Prebiotics are fibers that the body can’t digest, and are a food source for the microbiome. Examples of prebiotics include apples, asparagus, barley, garlic, oats, and soybeans. Probiotics are live microorganisms found in fermented food, and when you eat them you are adding microbes to your gut. Examples include yogurt, kombucha, miso, kimchi, and sourdough bread.

During the Q&A, a number of great questions were addressed, including ones on GLP-1s, cruciferous vegetables (hint: they promote saiety like the new GLP-1 drugs), probiotics sold at CVS, quality of the supplements you buy (hint: don’t purchase on Amazon); and fiber intake per day (25-35 gr is great).

If there was a mantra that resulted from the session, it’s this: “Eat real foods, and consume the rainbow”. Hydration is also key, and 2-3 liters per day is recommended along with limiting caffiene intake. And don’t things too seriously; you can have a decadent dessert or snack now and then.

I thank KC and Annie for sharing their insights with us during the informative session. To view the YouTube replay, CLICK HERE.