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Smoking

Diet To Help You Quit Smoking:
imageDid you know that on an average, people who quit smoking gain about four to five kilos? Okay, that's no reason for you to revise your decision. You are more likely to gain weight when you stop smoking only if you have been smoking for 10 to 20 years or have been smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day. You can control your weight, however, by developing healthy eating habits. Although you may gain a few kilos, remember you have stopped and taken a big step towards a healthier life.

Why Do You Gain Weight?
Changes in metabolism: One of the reasons why smokers tend to put on weight post quitting is because their metabolism changes in response to life without nicotine. After quitting, your metabolism drops, so that you burn fewer kilojoules than while you were smoking.
More glucose is delivered to body cells: There are two main reasons for this:
1. Nicotine triggers the release of adrenaline and other 'fight or flight' chemicals, which encourage the body to empty the glucose that's stored in the blood.
2. Nicotine seems to stop insulin from working effectively, so blood sugar levels are kept high.
Without nicotine, more glucose (and kilojoules) is available for use.
Eating More Food: Many smokers change their eating habits and turn to food in an attempt to manage withdrawal cravings.
You feel hungrier: It seems that the smoker's body sees the high blood sugar levels caused by nicotine as if they were the result of a recent meal, and decides not to trigger hunger signals. Without nicotine, blood sugar levels are lower, which means hunger signals are triggered more often.

Why Does One Resort To Food On Quitting?

  • imageThe restless, empty feeling of nicotine withdrawal can feel very similar to hunger pangs. The smoker may be 'fooled' into thinking she is hungry when she isn't.
  • Missing the satisfaction of actually putting a cigarette into the mouth prompts some to substitute food for cigarettes. Instead of lighting up, they eat something.
  • Some smokers regularly skip meals - for example, breakfast may be a cup of coffee and a couple of cigarettes. Once you stop smoking, you may find that you don't feel like skipping meals any more.
  • Many find that food tastes better after quitting the habit, naturally leading them to take second or third helpings.

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