Can Diet Help in Reducing the Damage Caused by Smoking?

Can Diet Help in Reducing the Damage Caused by Smoking?

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, in India, over 6, 00,000 men in the age group of 25-69 die due to smoking every year. Quitting is the only solution to stop further damage to the body.

Most smokers have heard that quitting can make them put on weight - this is true as smoking tends to increase the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and hence the body tends to use up more calories. This should not be held as a reason for not quitting as the dangers of smoking are far worse than putting on a little weight (which can easily avoided by sticking to a balanced diet and exercising regularly).

Here is a sample diet that is high in antioxidants that may help in reducing the damage done to the body:

Early Morning: Water + Walnuts

Breakfast: Poha(with vegetables) + Papaya

Mid-morning: Green Tea + Orange

Lunch: Phulka (no ghee/oil) Or Brown rice along with beetroot sabzi and dal, palak mixed veg salad (no salad dressing), curd/ yogurt (fat-free). A cup of watermelon for dessert

Evening: Tea/ Coffee + fruit chaat

Dinner: Dalia Khichdi (with mixed vegetables) and kadhi with beans subzi along with carrot salad. Have cherries or strawberries for dessert.
Quitting smoking is hard work but it can be done. Millions of people just like you have become and are still former smokers!