These Foods Can Help You Quit Smoking!

Smoking addiction is an increasingly serious type of dependency worldwide. According to recent research, the age at which people start smoking in Turkey has dropped as low as 12. Sofra/Compass Group Turkey Country Dietitian Emel Terzioğlu Arslan states that dietary habits have a significant impact on quitting smoking, and shares her recommendations on the foods that can help.

It is an undeniable fact that smoking poses very serious threats to human health. Although many alternative methods have been developed for those who want to quit smoking, the proportion of people who fail remains remarkably high. Dietitian Emel Terzioğlu Arslan notes that solutions can be found simply by changing eating habits, and that with the right foods, the process of quitting smoking can be made much easier. Here are those foods…
 
Oatmeal reduces nicotine dependence

Numerous studies show that regularly consuming oatmeal reduces dependence on nicotine. Eating oatmeal with milk may be even more helpful, because a cigarette smoked after drinking milk tastes quite unpleasant — which in turn reduces the urge to smoke.

 Tryptophan-rich foods reduce the craving for cigarettes

Tryptophan is one of the 8 essential amino acids that are vital to our bodies. This amino acid boosts the production of serotonin — also known as the happiness hormone — which in turn helps reduce the need for cigarettes. Lean protein sources such as turkey, eggs, chicken breast, and legumes are particularly rich in tryptophan. These foods can be very beneficial during the process of quitting smoking.

A food that reduces the damage smoking does to your body: Banana

Thanks to its potassium and B vitamins, banana is an important food for reducing smoking dependence. Bananas also help lessen the harmful effects that smoking has on the body.

 Fresh or dried — it doesn't matter! Eat mint regularly

Mint helps reduce the craving for nicotine thanks to the menthol it contains. It should be consumed regularly, whether fresh or dried. 
 
Herbal teas are among your greatest allies

Herbal teas are one of the most important aids during the process of quitting smoking. Clove tea in particular helps reduce withdrawal symptoms in smokers. In addition, herbal teas such as St. John's wort, lemon balm, and chamomile can act as natural antidepressants thanks to their calming effects, making them excellent supporters for getting through this process more peacefully. 

 Fresh vegetables help you quit smoking and manage your weight

Like milk, fresh vegetables make cigarettes taste worse after you consume them. Adding fresh vegetables to your diet will not only help with quitting smoking, but will also be a smart choice for weight management during the period after you quit.
 
Choose fruits rich in vitamin C

Regular smokers tend to have very low levels of vitamin C in their bodies, replaced instead by nicotine and its byproducts. For this reason, it is essential to add foods high in vitamin C to your diet — such as oranges, lemons, kiwi, strawberries, and pomegranates.