There is little doubt these days of the health problems that may occur if you continue to smoke. If you are a smoker, the day may come when you want or need to quit. There are many theories for the best approach. No matter what path you select, the key factor is going to be pure will power. The longer you go without smoking, the better you will feel. Finding the right tools may be essential to helping you succeed. There is no medical evidence the grapefruit juice, or any citrus product for that matter, aid in a plan for smoking cessation. However, grapefruit juice is a healthy alternative and a home remedy that may make the process easier to tolerate.
Step 1
Set a date to quit smoking. The Mayo Clinic recommends you pick a date to be your "quit day." This will help you get in the right mindset to quit. Make the day within the next month. Give yourself time to adjust to the idea of not smoking anymore. Don't go too far in the future or you may lose your resolve.
Step 2
Write out a list of items to stock up on, considering these tools for your quit-smoking tool chest. Purchase grapefruit juice in bulk or buy several cartons at once. Other items to consider include sugar-free chewing gum and hard candy, nicotine control devices such as patches, and motivation books or a journal. Plan ahead and stock up so you do not have to run to the store during a craving.
Step 3
Drink one glass of grapefruit juice first thing in the morning with breakfast. Smoking cessation motivation websites, such as Stop Smoking, suggest one glass of citrus juice a day may help cut cravings. Science can not back up this theory; however, juice is a good substitute for caffeine drinks or soda.
Step 4
Pour a glass of grapefruit juice when you have an uncontrollable craving to smoke. Some websites, such as Quit Smoking Support, recommend grapefruit juice to curtail a difficult craving. Again, clinical data cannot support this, but it might help distract you. Grapefruit juice has a distinctive taste and may help refocus your thoughts for awhile.
Step 5
Leave some grapefruit juice in the refrigerator even once you have kicked the habit. It is possible that you will fight cravings sporadically for a long time. It will help to have tools on hand to keep you on the right path.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are not used to drinking grapefruit juice, you may find it is difficult to tolerate. Try drinking small glasses for one or two weeks before you quit. If it upsets your stomach, grapefruit juice may not be the right choice for you. Try lemonade or orange juice instead. You need to know before you quit so this does not interfere with your goals.
- The chemicals and pulp in grapefruit juice can interfere with some prescription medications, such as BuSpar. If taking a prescription drug, talk to your doctor before drinking grapefruit juice. If you are on a restricted diet, do not begin drinking juice without talking to a medical professional.
