While quitting tobacco is a hard process, it is even much more difficult stay off tobacco. Making the decision to quit smoking is one of the best decision that one could take but it takes a lot of effort and will power. But one you get off smoking, the real rewarding journey begins. Every day you spend without lighting a cigarette or having a smoke is a victory. And you have to make that decision of not smoking every day. And there are a few things that you can do make this decision easier. While the battle against nicotine craving is full of challenges, there are a few allies available that help you fight better. These allies range from behvarioral changes to the lifestyle, making wiser food choices and taking an active decision to live a life that is full of healthier choices.
In this blog, we will introduce you to some allies un the form of foods that can help kill the nicotine cravings. Since food is an integral part of our life, it gives us strength and nutrition, it also holds some interesting powers to help the curn to light up a cigarette and contribute to our overall wellbeing. While many people do consume NRT products like nicotine gums, nicotine tablets or lozenges. There are a few food items that can help you reduce the nicotine cravings. It is important to note here that these food items only help reduce the cravings, they do not help much manage them. If you are looking for a solution to manage nicotine cravings then you must try products like Nicotine Gum Online in India. They are designed to help you put a controlled amount of nicotine into your body and hence help in managing the unpleasant nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It is important to manage your nicotine cravings efficiently in order to successfully get off the cigarette habit.
Now let us get into the list of healthy and tasty foods that you can include in your diet while you are trying to quit smoking.
- Nuts
A powerhouse of fats, vitamins, fiber and much more – nuts are a great snack for every one. They help in reducing bad cholesterol and heart diseases and fill your stomach in a healthy manner when you feel hungry. They keep you satiated for long. Additionally, these superfoods are extremely portable.You can simply put them in a small pouch or box and take them out anywhere or at any time. They are a great post-lunch snack or can be consumed when you are traveling as they do not require much effort to be consumed. - Yougust and fruits
A tasty and healthy treat – this is a great option for people who have a sweet tooth. This will get your sweet craving fixed without going overboard on sugar. Yogurt is full of calcium and protein – it is good for your health. The healthy probiotics help improve your gut health and are great for you. If you add a few piece of your favorite fruit to yougurt – you have a yummy and tasty treat for your entire body. Just make sure to look for plain or low-sugar yogurt, as many brands can actually be quite sweet. - Popcorn
You love eating them in a movie theater but did you know that this snack is also good for your body. It has many nutrional and health benefits as well. As long as you do not add an unhealthy amount of butter and salt to it, this classic movie theater snack will help you keep full. Popcorn is full of fiber and may also contain healthy pilyphenols (a type ofantioxidant). Popcorns are easy to make – just add some kennels to a pot and let them pop naturally in a little bit of coconut oil, herbs and you have a portable and quick snack for you. - Milk
A great source of nutrition to your bosy, milk has an additional benefit for smokers as well. Surprisingly, milk has the potential to make cigarettes taste really bad. It does not go well with tobacco. So, if you feel a strong urge to smoke try drinking a glass of milk. Studies show that smoking after a glass of milk causes cigarettes to taste bitter and unpleasant. Because milk and cigarettes are incompatible combinations it helps with the smoking cessation process. Drinking milk will also further increase your metabolism and help you lose weight. - Dark chocolate
If you love chocolates, then it is a good news for you. You can have them while you are trying to quit but make sure that you have dark chocolate instead of the regular one. Dark chocolate is a healthy treat that helps curn nicotine cravings. It is full of nutrients and can also help relear the happy hormones like dopamine. This effect is much similar to what nicotine does to our body. When consumed, it triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters that make you feel happy. Hence, having dark chocolate will help you fight the nicotine cravings. Additionally, having dark chocolate will keep your appetite in check and keep you satiated for long.
In addition to these food items, you can also consider having some tasty regular and quick meals. For example – veggies and humus.
Made from mashed chickpeas and a variety of other ingredients (including olive oil and spices), hummus is a great nutrient packed spead that is high in fiber and protein. Pair it with a container of your favorite and crunchy veggies and you have a vegetable-heavy, nutritionally loaded meal by your side. This helps in keeping your stomach full in a healthy and tasty manner.
Now that you have gone thorough the list of food items that you should add to your diet while you are on your quitting journey, it is now time to quickly look at the food items that you should avoid during quitting.
1. Sweets
It is advisable to avoid too sugary products like candy as it will only lead to weight gain. Your appetite increases during the smoking cessation period. It is natural for you to crave for something that is sweet. But it will only lead to weight gain amd increase the risk of diabetes. Hence, do keep a check on your sweet intake. You can replace artificual sweets with natural sweets like berries or mangoes.
2. Coffee
Coffee and cigarettes taste great together – we know that. But coffee contains caffeine. And caffeine is a trigger for smoke – it makes a person more likely to smoke. Hence if you are someone who had a habit of smoking while sipping coffee then it will be good for you if you let go of coffee for some time while you are trying to quit smoking. As coffee consumption will act as a trigger for smoke – it will remind you of smoking and hence, it will be great if you let go of it.
Therefore, replace coffee intake with tea for 2 weeks especially when you just start your quitting journey. You can also consume other drinks such as juice or herbal drinks such as mint. They will also help reduce the irritation in your throat and calm your nerves.
3. Greasy or fatty food
People tend to have a boosted appetite when they are trying to quit. Additionally, they try to seek satisfaction of food. Therefore, during this period, it is very much important for you to choose the right food. It is difficult to avoid fried food but do try to replace unhealthy food items with healthier ones like boiled or steamed food. This will help you maintain a healthy weight and also give your body the boost of nutrition that it needs.
To conclude, while you try medical products like nicotine gums or lozenges, include (or exclude) these food items to your diet. It will help you stay away from lighting up a cigarette and help you take a step towards a happy and healthy life.
