Nicotine is one of the most accessible and widespread drugs in the world and is highly addictive. It is more than proven that tobacco is directly related to coronary heart disease, different types of cancer and is one of the main causes of premature death. Even so, one of the most common fears that appears among people who are considering give up smoking is the fear of gaining weight.
Why stop smoking get fat? Here we give you a few reasons:
- There are studies that confirm that the nicotine in tobacco activates our metabolism, burning around 200 calories for every 20 cigarettes. When we stop smoking, our metabolism slows down and we don't burn fat as quickly so it's easy to gain weight.
- Once we have abandoned tobacco, our sense of smell and taste improve so we become more receptive to smells and flavors. As a consequence, we are more vulnerable to falling into the temptation of increasing the amount of food and drinks we eat. That is, we eat more.
- When you stop smoking, the levels of serotonin -the mood hormone- and this can cause irritability, restlessness, sadness and anxiety. Eating sweet and starchy foods increases serotonin levels and makes you feel more satiated and relaxed. But these foods make you fat. And a lot.
It is possible to quit smoking without gaining weight. Below we give you a few tricks to minimize hunger and weight gain when you stop smoking:
A healthy diet is key to not gaining weight
Trick 1: Eat 5 to 6 times a day
Set regular time intervals between meals, including one or two snacks a day. Avoid foods high in calories and sugar, especially between meals. Try to eat more fish than meat.
Trick 2: Avoid alcoholic beverages
The abuse of alcoholic beverages, apart from gaining weight, is associated with a greater risk of relapse to tobacco. Also avoid drinks with caffeine, taurine and carbonated drinks.
Trick 3: Drink water and take infusions
Drinking plenty of water is essential for both smokers and non-smokers. It is advisable to drink at least two liters of water a day. Drinking "tricks" our stomach and helps us purify. The infusions They help you increase the feeling of satiety and eliminate toxins from the body.
Trick 4: Take Kuzu infusions
Some nutritionists recommend taking infusions of Kuzu, a root that helps eliminate toxic substances from the body and control addiction to both tobacco and alcohol.
Trick 5: Eat antioxidant foods
Include in your diet foods rich in antioxidant vitamins such as citrus (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, lemon, lime), kiwi or strawberries.
Trick 6: Go to a nutritionist
The advice of a professional can help you so that the fear of gaining weight is not your main concern and you can focus on what is really important: permanently abandoning your tobacco addiction.
A change in habits and attitude will help you quit smoking and not gain weight.
Trick 7: Positivity first and foremost
Do not be pessimistic. Think that even if you stop smoking and gain weight, you will surely you're not going to gain that much weight as you think. The most important thing is to stop smoking. Later you will solve the weight problem.
Tip 8: Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
Now is a good time to start. Exercise will minimize hunger, activate your metabolism, help you burn calories and improve your mood
Trick 9: Fight boredom
Moments of boredom or not knowing what to do are very critical for people who are trying to quit smoking. Maybe it's time to discover a new hobby, especially with activities that keep your hands busy: sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, puzzles...
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