quit smoking - why do i feel more hungry?

Question

i quit smoking today, with patches but why do i feel more hungery than normal ? and is there anything i can do about it, i'm also on a diet.

Answer 1

The patches give you a low, steady level of nicotine while a cigarettes give you a high dose which trails off until the next cigarette. While the patches give you some nicotine to help reduce the urges to smoke, you are still going through some nicotine withdrawl - just not as bad as if you were going cold turkey.

Unfortunately, nicotine withdrawl gives you somewhat the same feeling as being hungry and many people eat to satisfy that false sense of hunger, thus gain weight.

Hang in there because this will pass in a few days although when you go to a lower nicotine patch in a couple weeks, you may have a short bout of hunger again.

Here's a thought that helped me when I quit.....
For your health, you know you need to quit. What you're going through is not particularly comfortable but if you stick with it, you'll only have to go through it once. If you give in and start smoking because you can't stand the withdrawl, then you'll have gone through this discomfort for nothing and will have to go through it all again.

Good Luck -- you can do it!!!

Answer 2

Smoking suppresses your appetite (tis why most models smoke). The best thing is to have a supply of fruit and veg in the fridge and when you are hungry or want a cig have some veg instead it will keep you on your diet and also mean you are getting your 5/7 (depending upon what you read) portions you need.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Its the craving if you had a cigarette now ( which you are not going to ) the hunger pains would go away
This is the awful thing about giving up smoking and its especially hard for you because your dieting as well Best thing is keep snacking on chopped veg and fruit
Good luck and dont give in

Answer 4

Hi,
it seems to be a replacement thing.
I gave up giving up smoking, and although during a giving up period, I gained a stone in weight due to increased appetite.
Which is worse for the system ?
I now smoke about six roll-up, DIY tobacco things a day, and tuck into allsorts. No, not with the funny stuff in them.
Roast lamb tonight, after a KFC at lunchtime.
I am still only 9 stone.
Metabolism, and all that.
The lungs test out to be OK for the water-sking, & running on fathers day at the school.
Some adapt, and some end up a big podgy thing.
I shall have a swig of beer, and enjoy a smoke afterwards.
Each to their own, I suppose.
All the best withit,
Bob.

Answer 5

LOL i quit smoking to and decided to do the diet thing at the same time its f*cking hard!!

Your not hungry your just trying to replacing smoking with doing something else ie eating!!

Buy celery and munch on that it has no calories and actually takes calories away.

So you'll replace the hunger feeling without adding calories :)

Answer 6

Most people will have better appetite and taste after they quit smoking. Food will be much more enjoyable and tasty.

Answer 7

Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so now that you aren't getting as much nicotine (I guess) your appetite is returning to a normal level. There are many low-calorie foods that you can munch, like veggies and rice cakes. I am so glad that you are quitting!

Answer 8

Smoking depresses your appetite.

Answer 9

you cant do both at once, thats being to harsh on yourself. when you quit smoking your taste buds sharpen up, so you can taste food better. why not stop smoking first. then concentrate on the diet.

Answer 10

you put weight on wen you stop smoking not because you eat more its because your metabalism slows down and you dont burn off fat as easy just watch wot you eat and take a little exersice