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Clean Our Air, Clean Your Lungs: Quit Smoking

Kelly Rossiter, Toronto

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By Kelly Rossiter
Toronto, Canada | Sun Mar 23 17:21:00 EDT 2008

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We're already tackled that other big New Year's resolution, so now we are going to take a look at quitting smoking. There's a good reason that weight loss and quitting smoking are always the two big resolutions year after year. They are both difficult goals to achieve, but both well-worth the health benefits.

It's true that many people gain weight when they quit cigarettes and some find this a deterrent. Smoking alters your metabolism artificially, and it returns to normal after you've quit, so that can pack on a few pounds. Some people just simply eat more to keep their mouths busy to ward off nicotine cravings.

Here are a few tips to help you quit smoking and use your diet stay healthy.1. Don't skip meals: It doesn't help your cravings for nicotine if you are also in need of food. If you deprive yourself of both things you are in for a crash.

2. Eat throughout the day: Eat small meals and small snacks throughout the day. You'll have a sense of satiety and you'll have something to do with your hands and mouth. That doesn't mean eat constantly, however.

3. Choose your snacks wisely: When you snack, eat raw vegetables and dip, fruits, pretzels, or yogurt, rather than cookies or potato chips or other fast, fatty snacks. Don't let yourself get into the mindset that you "deserve" that chocolate bar because you didn't have a cigarette.

4. Plan ahead: Who knows when that craving will hit you? Carry some prepared fruit or vegetables with you. so you can pop something other than a cigarette in your mouth.

5. Choose your meals wisely: When you eat meals, choose lots of vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk products, and lean meats and alternatives. Don't forget you are detoxing your body, so you don't need to fill it up with other toxins.

6. Don't overeat: You'll probably find that when you stop smoking, food smells and tastes better. That's great, but don't overdue the portions.

7. Drink lots of water: Drinking water helps remove the nicotine from your system. We should all be drinking water all day, quitting smoking or not.

8. Avoid caffeinated beverages: Let's face it. You are going to be irritable anyway, so don't exacerbate it by piling on coffee and cola drinks. Your family probably doesn't need you to be any edgier than you already are.

9. Avoid alcohol while you are trying to quit: Not only do people find alcohol a trigger, because they often smoked in social settings with a drink, but alcohol will lower your ability to say no when that craving strikes.

10. Exercise: Exercise will help get your metabolism back on track, as well as help to clear out your lungs

[Via ::ActNowBC ]

Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced

 
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