drug overdose deaths occurred in the 12-month period ending September 2024
overdose deaths were attributed to opioids in 2023
people in the U.S. had a substance use disorder as of 2020.
Welcome to Eating Protein Saves Lives, Inc!
Hi. I’m Christina Veselak.
I have worked as a counselor and nutritionist in the addiction field for over 40 years. During that time, I have seen many people relapse and even die, in spite of motivation and extensive treatment.
Why?
Addiction is well-known to be a bio-psycho/social and spiritual disorder.
However, traditional treatment, including 12-step programs, ignores the BRAIN as a driver of the addictive processes. They only address the biochemistry of addiction through using more medication to treat symptoms, but meds only tweak the brain – they don’t actually feed the brain what it needs to function optimally and they don’t truly correct the underlying biochemical imbalances.
This is like sitting on a 3-legged stool with only 2 legs! It doesn’t take much to lose your balance and fall over! Thus, the high relapse rate?
However, nobody knows this!!!
While the natural health community has supported this approach for 70 odd years, it hasn’t made its way into the general public, nor into mental health and addiction treatment worlds. Therefore, many people have struggled and perhaps died unnecessarily.They only address the biochemistry of addiction through using more medication to treat symptoms, but meds only tweak the brain – they don’t actually feed the brain what it needs to function optimally and they don’t truly correct the underlying biochemical imbalances.
Our Mission & Vison
Protein Can Save a Life.
We believe that eating protein throughout the day is a life-saving, foundational part of addiction recovery.
Our mission is to educate people in recovery — and the professionals who support them — on the powerful impact of feeding the recovering brain.
When the brain is properly nourished, cravings decrease, relapse risk drops, overdose deaths decline, and people are better able to fully engage in their healing journey.
We envision a future where every treatment program understands this truth:
Feeding the brain is not a bonus — it’s essential.
Because Eating Protein Saves Lives.
Nourish & Thrive Kit
The Nourish and Thrive Kit is packed with resources to help integrate protein into your daily nutrition and support your recovery journey.
Watch Our Recovery Video Playlist
Offers powerful, evidence-based insights on how nutrition, particularly protein, plays a crucial role in the recovery process.
Feeding Recovery Resource Library
A growing collection of evidence-informed handouts, guides, research summaries, and meal suggestions — for individuals, families, and professionals.
Support a Life-Saving Mission
Download the Eating Protein Saves Lives Resources Pack
For a minimum $5 donation, you’ll gain exclusive access to our comprehensive Eating Protein Saves Lives Resources, designed to support individuals in recovery and treatment providers.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition Wellness Wheel
Food Mood/Craving Study/Checklist/Journal
and many more!!!
Be Part of the
Nutritional Recovery
Revolution.
Together, we can make brain-based nutrition a foundation of every recovery journey.
4 Core Beliefs Guiding Our Mission to Save Lives
More than a message—it’s a movement to transform recovery through nourishment.
Food Is Medicine for the Recovering Brain
We teach that eating protein throughout the day supports brain healing, reduces cravings, and helps prevent relapse and overdose.
Protein Saves Lives
Our goal is to make protein a recognized, essential part of addiction recovery—just like therapy, support groups, and medication.
Education for People in Recovery & Their Providers
We provide resources and training for both individuals and professionals, so everyone understands how to feed the brain for better recovery outcomes.
We’re Changing the Recovery Conversation
We believe nutrition should be a foundational part of every recovery plan—and we're on a mission to make that universal.
The Time to Help is Now
EATING PROTEIN SAVES LIVES!!!
The best ideas, no matter how simple they seem, need supporters like you. Our message can and should go viral. The emerging science is on our side. Help us to spread the word with billboard advertising. Let’s move forward and come together to share this powerful message. Eating protein saves lives!
Support a Nourished Path to Recovery
Your donation helps bring vital education, tools, and support to people rebuilding their lives.
We’re changing the conversation—because recovery is stronger when the brain is fed well.
