Many smokers have a tendency to light up in order to quiet thehunger pangs that strike midday, late at night, or even firstthing in the morning. That's just one reason why people who quitsmoking tend to gain a little weight in the first few weeks ormonths after overcoming their addiction. Putting on a few poundsis the body's natural way of reacting to this huge change, butit may also be a sign that it's time to get back to a healthierlifestyle, one that is drug-free, that incorporates exercise,and that promotes a nutritious dietary outlook.

Moreover, when you eat well, you increase the likelihood thatyou won't fall back on cigarettes to give you energy or wake upyou when you're feeling sluggish. Follow these guidelines to eathealthy and stay away from cigarettes:

Start each and every day with a healthy, adequate breakfast. Tryto eat within one hour of waking up, since that's when your bodycraves an energy source. Eating in the morning gives you theenergy to get through your day without having to fall back on acup of coffee or a smoke later in the afternoon.

Don't wait until your stomach is grumbling to eat meals. Smokersoften turn to cigarettes to take away hunger pangs, so when yougive up cigarettes you are going to have to start paying moreattention to your body's nutritional requirements. Eat lunchpromptly at noon. If you can't have a full lunch at that time,eat a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit, a handful ofnuts, or a couple slices of turkey or chicken breast.  Our bodyneeds nourishment at fixed time intervals and at those times youhad better grab something to eat. The human stomach is aremarkable thing and can even digest small bones and smallstones. So if you do not give it something to digest from timeto time, it will very well start attacking its own walls. Thatis when people end up with conditions like acidity, ulcers anddigestive disorders. If you have never experienced suchdisorders before in spite of your erratic eating habits, don'twait for it, believe me a digestive disorder is not something toplay with.

Eat a healthy dinner that incorporates a variety of food groups.Include veggies, whole grains and lean protein. Instead of asugary dessert, choose fruit. Steer clear of food supplements ornutraceuticals as they are sometimes called. If you are eatingproperly, you do not need any supplements.

Avoid coffee. Coffee contains the same sort of stimulants ascigarette. It will temporarily silence the hunger pangs, butthey'll come back later with a vengeance. Also, coffee can causeyou to feel more alert as soon as you drink it, but later onyou'll feel even more tired-that's what we call a "caffeinecrash." Opt for juice, tea or water instead of coffee. If youmust drink coffee, have two glasses of water for every one cupof coffee to avoid dehydration.

Drink plenty of water. Water is nature's most perfect substance.It flushes out toxins, keeps all our organs functioningproperly, and helps us feel more alert. Most people don't drinkenough, particular those of us with substance addictions. Whenyou're quitting smoking, aim for at least 10 glasses of water aday to get your body back to optimum shape.

A few more pointers on what to eat...

It is best to go for natural foods instead of processed orpacked foods.

Eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fresh juices whenever youcan. Fresh fruit has a lot more fibre, which your body needs.

Go crazy on vegetables and salads; they can never do muchharm.

The next time you are thirsty, try drinking water instead ofsoda. Your body prefers water in its purest form.

Following all of these dietary guidelines will transform yourbody into a temple you won't want to sully with dirty cigarettesmoke or nicotine!