Stopping smoking is very difficult and many people are worried about gaining weight, the reasons for this could be:

• You don’t burn calories quite as quickly as you used to when nicotine was speeding up your system.

• You may be used to having a cigarette in your mouth, so now you use food as a substitute.

• You may be snacking more because you feel bored or stressed.

• You may find that food actually tastes better, some people smoke at the end of a meal so a cigarette is replaced by an extra helping or some ex-smokers find that they get a craving for sweet things.

• Smoking can reduce your appetite.

BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS…………………

• You can take steps to minimise your weight gain when you quit smoking, it may not mean eating less, only differently.

• Do use Zyban or Nicotine Replacement Therapy correctly, evidence has shown this can significantly reduce your weight gain in the early stages.

• Do make yourself a pre-quitting shopping list. The most important thing here is to plan ahead.

• Do weigh yourself weekly, first thing in the morning, to make sure you are aware of any weight changes.

• Do keep busy and active – boredom can drive you to eat.