But while quitting smoking is an enormously good thing for your health, it is also known to be tied in to gaining weight. There are a broad range of reasons as to why this is the case – but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s thought that many people who give up smoking still unconsciously have the reflex of wanting to put something in their mouth to satisfy a craving. Unfortunately, this usually means heavy snacking on food that is high in sugar and fat.
If you do find that you are eating more regularly since you’ve given up smoking, try to ensure that it is healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts or seeds. This way you can avoid stuffing yourself with empty calories that will quickly be turned into fat.
Another reason that many people put on weight after giving up cigarettes is their natural habits at mealtimes. Many smokers eat quickly so that can enjoy a post-meal cigarette. This fast eating continues even after they have given up and it can lead to problems.
Firstly, eating quickly means that your stomach won’t recognise that it’s full. This means that you’ll be able to eat a lot more food than you normally would. To avoid this you have to teach yourself to eat slowly.