You often hear that people who stop smoking start eating more sweets. Nutrition coach Amber Albarda gives tips on how to prevent this.
Nutrition Coach Amber Albarda: 'To prevent the sniffing, it is important that you keep your blood sugar level stable for the foreseeable future. Too much sugar and not eating for a long time cause a drop in your blood sugar level. Low blood sugar makes you tired, irritated and prone to sniffing behaviour.
Choose smart
Keep your blood sugar in balance by eating on time and – most importantly – eating wisely. Don't look for it in fast carbohydrates such as sugar, white bread, crackers, white pasta, soft drinks, and so on. Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates and low-glycemic products such as whole grains (brown rice) and other whole grains.
Fibres Low-glycemic products contain a lot of fiber so that your body has time to break down the incoming sugars in a dosed way and so your sugar level remains in balance. Fats and proteins are naturally low-glycemic, so scrambled eggs or an omelet for breakfast will keep you out of the cookie jar longer than a jam sandwich (high-glycemic). For the rest, eat lots of vegetables and other natural, fresh products to provide your body with the necessary nutrients.
Against the stress Prolonged and frequent smoking robs your body of precious nutrients and deficiencies can encourage binge eating. So you may already start with a backlog. This makes you more sensitive to stress – and quitting smoking is stressful – which makes it harder to resist the so-called cravings. Opt for beans and legumes more often as they contain plenty of stress-reducing B vitamins and keep you full.
In addition
In the mood for a snack? Take a handful of unsalted nuts. These are rich in essential fatty acids, which help keep your mood stable. Finally, it does not hurt to take a daily multivitamin, possibly supplemented with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to replenish your reserves. Good luck!'
