Many cigarette smokers notice that nicotine seems to affect their weight and metabolism, blunting their appetite and perhaps keeping them thin. This may seem like a benefit to some smokers, but smoking is terrible for your health -- much worse than a few extra pounds, says Columbia University's Health Services. And then, of course, there are smokers who are underweight and would actually like to gain a few pounds. If this describes you, giving up nicotine may alter your metabolism and help you add weight, for a healthier body overall.
Step 1
Discuss stop-smoking options with your doctor. Quitting smoking is challenging, but there are several tools that can help you kick the habit successfully. The nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhaler, prescription medications Zyban and Chantix, behavioral counseling and stop-smoking support groups are all options for smokers trying to quit, says MayoClinic.com. Your doctor can help you determine which option is best for you.
Step 2
Set a quit date for yourself. Giving yourself a timeline for your goal will increase your motivation and make it easier to take gradual steps toward total smoking cessation.
Step 3
Gather support for your efforts. Tell family and friends that you are quitting smoking. If they know what you're up to, they can be supportive and help you overcome obstacles to quitting.
Step 4
Eat a healthy diet full of nutritious, calorie-dense foods as you work on quitting smoking. As you give up nicotine, your metabolism may slow down naturally and you may gain a few pounds as your body becomes healthier, says Smith College Health Services. If you're underweight, this will no doubt be a welcome change. However, you can maximize this healthy transition by including high-nutrient, higher-calorie foods in your diet. Nuts, avocados, cheese, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, whole-grain bread, beans, corn, peas, yogurt and ground flaxseed can all add extra calories to your diet to help you gain weight while still offering solid nutrition to support your overall health.
Things You'll Need
- Smoking cessation products or medication
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