Foods to Avoid When You Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is hard for most people, especially those who have a long history of addiction to cigarettes. If you are trying to quit, there are certain foods that you should avoid in order to increase your chances of kicking the habit, some of which might have even triggered a cigarette craving for you in the past.

Spicy and Sweet Foods

• Both spicy and sweet foods trigger nicotine cravings in smokers, so avoid consuming these during the first two to four weeks of quitting smoking. This is the time when cravings are the hardest to fight. Spicy foods such as jalapeno peppers and Mexican, Indian and Thai food can contribute to the cigarette cravings. Instead of eating spicy food, choose foods that have mild natural flavors such as root vegetables and use an herb like basil to flavor your food instead of pepper. If you are craving sweet food, try eating fresh fruit and avoid overly sugared foods like cake or cookies. Monitor how much honey and sugar you put in your beverages to avoid triggering a nicotine craving.

Meat

• Many smokers agree that consuming meat before a cigarette makes the cigarette taste better. Try to substitute vegetable entrees such as eggplant parmigiana for meat dishes. Try tofu or seitan, easily found in grocery stores. If you don't want to cut out meat altogether, try to eat cuts that you didn't consume often when you smoked. If there's a certain type of meat that you love, try to prepare it in a new way.

Alcohol and Coffee

• Most smokers admit to enjoying a cigarette after their morning cup of coffee or after a few alcoholic beverages. Some define themselves as "social" smokers and only pick up a cigarette when they drink alcohol. If you are trying to quit smoking, avoid drinking these beverages because your body will be so used to a cigarette afterward that you might have a hard time fighting the craving. Try different drinks such as juice, flavored water or sports drinks. Choose drinks that are low-calorie to maintain a healthy diet and ward off any excess weight that might come with quitting smoking.

Familiar Foods and Eateries

• Your body will associate other foods with smoking, especially if you have consumed these foods regularly with a heavy smoker. If you have attended a weekly sporting event, frequented a local bar or visited a favorite restaurant regularly with smokers, avoid these places. Fortunately you won't have to deprive yourself of your favorite hangout spots and foods forever, but stay away from tempting situations during the first few weeks of smoking cessation to avoid increasing your cravings.