The danger during this time is that smokers can gain quite a bit of weight whey they smoke. Given than being overweight is bad for your health, just as is smoking, it makes little sense to trade off one health problem for another. Here are some foods that might help you get over your oral fixation and urge to smoke without putting a lot of weight on.
Hot Food
Hot, in this sense, means spicy. Hot food is great for suppressing the appetite. It also causes the body to release endorphins, which make you feel good all over. One way to make this work better is to pick your food based on your cravings. For instance, if you’re having a really bad craving, get the hottest batch of chips and salsa you can and dig in. The heat will keep you from overeating and the endorphin rush will oftentimes offset the irritability of a nicotine fit.
Fruits and Veggies
Assume that you’re going to snack a lot when you quit smoking. If you’re going to eat a lot of anything, it should be fruits and vegetables. There are some options among fruits and vegetables that are completely guilt-free.
Carrots, celery, some types of pickles and other vegetables are actually calorie-negative foods. This means that it takes more energy to burn then than they contain, so you actually don’t end up putting any calories in when you snack on them. They’re still full of benefits, however. Carrots, for instance, contain nutrients that help with your night vision. Here are some others you can eat without feeling a bit of guilt or worrying about your waistline:
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Raspberries
- Tangerines
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Spinach
Indulge Once and a While
Moderation is the better part of health. If you’re careful that you’re not eating too much greasy food, for instance, you’ll generally be much healthier than someone who pays that no mind. Of course, there’s really never a day when having a hamburger is good for you, but it’s not a bad thing to indulge now and then. By quitting smoking, you’re doing so much for your health that you deserve it. Just don’t get the idea that one good health decision offsets a one bad health decision. You can still get heart disease from bad food, so take it easy on the grease and fat. When you’re having a really bad craving, however, having a bit of not-so-great food might just make you feel better.
Water
Water, of course, isn’t a food, but it can help with smoking cessation. It gives you something to do when you’re thinking about having a cigarette, which is helpful. It also rinses out your mouth, which makes it feel clean and, for many people, which reduces the urge to smoke.
You can get flavored water, carbonated water and other variations that have no calories and that won’t put any weight on you. The added bonus is that water fills up your stomach and may offset your appetite enough to help you avoid getting in trouble by snacking too much.
Coffee and tea go right along with cigarettes for many people, but some quitting smokers find them comforting and to be helpful in reducing cravings, as well.
Author bio: Victory Lean is a writer at Di Cigs.com - an Electronic Cigarette showcase. She likes to share lifestyle tips and advices for healthy living.
