I’m 26-year-old girl. I used to be a regular smoker but recently have cut down to one cigarette a day. Ever since, I experience maddening hunger pangs and end up eating a lot. My hunger isn’t satiated easily because of which I’ve been bingeing and have put on a few kgs. I’m already overweight. What do I eat and how frequently should I eat so that I avoid putting on further weight?

 

Nicotine within 7 seconds of lighting up causes release of ‘adrenaline’ this hormone elevates heart rate (and thus burning), prevents insulin release and reduces hunger pangs. However as you quit the cigarette this enhanced burning meets a dead end. Sticking to the ‘hand-to-mouth’ habit food becomes your next best friend. Also you seem to enjoy the flavor of food without the smoke masking your taste buds. Weight gain is thus a feared consequence of giving up the deadly habit of smoking. However this can very well be managed if you shift focus to better exercise schedule (for the same adrenaline and endorphins rush), drink lots of water (to flush out the toxins and control cravings), keep healthy snack in reach, limit alcohol and most importantly distract yourself! Congratulation on cutting out the cigarettes, your body and mind will thank you for it.