Any resources/suggestions/websites available that help ex-smokers control the craving for excess food?

Question

I have heard that quitting smoking increases food intake, is it true?

Answer 1

I think it's really more that your hands and mouth need to feel "busy" in response to lacking the cigarette. I know that's what happened with me when I quit. SmokeAway makes an excellent product, the Smokeaway Homeopathic Medicine, that are tiny little "pills" you roll around under you tongue. They helped me a lot. If you really need your hands to be busy as well an excellent substitute for a cigarette is Cinnamon sticks. They FEEL like a cigarette and you can actually suck on them or stick them in your mouth. Hope this helps and good for you for quitting!

Answer 2

Based on my readings about blood sugar imbalances, it may be a blood sugar imbalance (low blood sugar) that caused the need to smoke in the first place.

If you did have low blood sugar (one of the conditions that is caused by hyperinsulinemia - high insulin production), it is back now, because the cigarettes are gone. When the brain senses blood sugar as low, it can request that you eat, and eat hearty and high glycemic (sugary) carbohydrates. Then insulin tucks those calories into the cells as fuel and - if not immediately necessary - fat, too fast, then the brain asks for more food.

www.hufa.org has some information on low blood sugar. The diet I am on has reduced cravings for everything. Last night, my husband brought home ice cream, and I did not feel like having any at all.

Answer 3

My Dad smoked for many years and he quit cold turkey.To substitute he used Lifesavers. It helped with not feeding his face constantly with food and he didn't gain any wt. I gave him a lot of credit and also to you for quitting.

Answer 4

it's very true i put on 20 lbs but now i keep gum in my pocket and chew that when i get hungry

Answer 5

try this website, some good tips there:
http://quitsmoking.lifetips.com/cat/9874/effects-of-smoking/index.html