Why do people gain weight when they quit smoking? Can extra pounds be avoided?

There is a good chance you will gain weight when you quit. Your body uses food more slowly when you first stop smoking. You may eat more when you quit too. But it's important to remember that the health benefits of quitting tobacco far outweigh the drawbacks of gaining a few pounds. Here are some tips to keep your weight down:

Make time to exercise every day. Even walking will help. All exercise burns calories, which helps prevent weight gain.
• Stay away from sweets and high-calorie foods. However, don't cut back on the amount of food you eat. Craving both food and cigarettes at the same time is tough to handle.
• Keep healthy low-calorie foods on hand for snacking. Try fresh fruits and vegetables, juices, yogurt, or air-popped popcorn without butter.
• Drink plenty of water. Drinking lots of water is healthy for everyone.

For free, one-on-one help with quitting, call the Smoking Quitline of the National Cancer Institute at 1-877-448-7848.

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