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Nicotine Detox Diet

Want to quit smoking? Great idea. The result is a healthier body, but prepare yourself for some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like cravings, tension, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches and weight gain. A detox diet can help ease the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal.

  1. Toxins and Nicotine

    • Cigarettes contain a lethal combination of chemicals, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Nicotine is a psychoactive alkaloid that is more addictive than cocaine or alcohol. It takes 72 hours for nicotine to dissipate in the bloodstream once you quit smoking. Give your body a kick-start by following a cleansing regime that can speed the elimination of toxins built up from smoking.

      The moment you quit smoking, start drinking plenty of water throughout the day to flush out your system. Add antioxidants to a daily program of vitamin supplements. This will help ease detoxification symptoms and lower toxicity levels in the bloodstream.

    The Diet

    • Start the morning by drinking a glass of lukewarm water with freshly lemon juice. The increased bile flow caused by the lemon juice will help your liver break down excess fats and toxins. Later in the day, a drop of chlorophyll (available at a local health food store) in a glass of water should help improve red blood cell production while boosting energy levels.
      Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. The extra fiber will aid in the elimination of excess toxins that have accumulated in organs. You also can add ground flax seed and oat bran to your morning cereal for extra fiber.

      According to the Detox Diet, says balanced, fiber-rich diet will increase blood and tissue alkalinity, which will help reduce nicotine cravings (see Resources). In addition, eat liver-friendly foods like carrots, celery, lemons and beets, and use seasonings like turmeric, cumin, curry, and rosemary. Limit dairy products and cut out foods that include MSG, refined sugars, wheat, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol for a couple of weeks to give your system a chance to cleanse and stabilize. Grains like rye, barley, oats, brown rice and quinoa are healthy alternatives to wheat.

    One More Thing

    • Make moderate exercise a part of your daily routine. Take deep, cleansing breaths to oxygenate blood. Keep a daily journal for a couple of weeks to record the improvement in stamina and breathing.

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