Quitting smoking is very tough for many people, especially smokers who have long been addicted to cigarettes and the habit of smoking. However, there are some behaviors and foods to avoid which can help you knock the nicotine habit, some of which may have triggered you to reach for a cigarette at a certain time.
Meat
According to a Duke University Study conducted by University psychologist F. Joseph McClernon, Ph.D, reported by CBSnews.com, meat is a common food item that should be avoided when quitting smoking. Many smokers find that meat makes cigarettes taste better. Consider replacing meat with vegetable substitutes that are still hearty like vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmigiana or meat substitutes like tempeh, tofu or seitan, many of which are increasingly available in national grocery stores. If you must eat meat, eat something that you didn't eat as frequently while you were smoking, or at least prepare your meat in a different way than you did before while you are trying to quit.
Spicy and Sweet Foods
Spicy and sweet foods tend to enhance cravings for cigarettes in many smokers, according to The American Cancer Society. Spicy foods like jalapeno and Serrano peppers, and generally spicy foods like Mexican food, Indian food or Thai food, should be avoided during the first few weeks to one month of quitting when cravings are their worst. Replace spicy foods with more naturally flavorful foods like roasted root vegetables, and use herbs and spices like basil or thyme to flavor your food instead of cayenne pepper or coriander. The same goes for overly sweet foods like ice cream, cookies, cake or simply too much sugar or honey in your coffee or tea. Replace sweet foods that contain processed sugar with fresh fruit instead.
Familiar Foods and Eating Places
Avoid foods that you associate with smoking, even if that means you only ate them when in the company of heavy smokers, whether that be game night with old friends, a neighborhood bar with business colleagues or, in the case of food, a favorite restaurant where you ordered a favorite dish. While you won't have to avoid favorite places and foods forever, you can take the pressure off yourself by steering clear of familiar situations that you know may make your cravings stronger, especially during the first few weeks of quitting.
