Constipation and gas — you might have lots of wind, stomach aches and other digestive issues. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and high-fibre cereal.
The best option is to stop smoking altogether. But if this is difficult, avoid smoking for at least 20 minutes after your last meal.
Smokers may be tempted to have an after-dinner cigarette, but resist the urge. Smoking is bad all the time, but smoking after a meal encourages heartburn by relaxing your lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, smoking worsens symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as ulcerative colitis (a stomach ulcer).
And the body is active at the absorption of food digestion, absorption and at the same time the absorption capacity of cigarette smoke is also enhanced, the harmful substances also are increased.
Experts believe that smoking after a meal increases chances of bowel and lung cancer manifold. Scientists second the stand and say that one cigarette after a meal is as dangerous as smoking ten cigarettes.
Avoid laying down after eating: Keep upright for two to three hours after meals to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort and aid digestion.
That's mainly because your body absorbs food properly only when you're in an upright position. Lying down after meals will lead to indigestion. You should wait for at least 2 hours after a meal before you go to your bed.
The effects of smoking on your digestive system can be reduced (and possibly eliminated) when you quit. If you quit smoking abruptly, nicotine withdrawal may cause (or worsen) symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, but those symptoms will improve over time.
When you quit smoking, your appetite and metabolism return to normal - which may lead you to eat more and burn fewer calories. Even after just two days of no smoking, nerve endings start regenerating and your sense of taste is enhanced.
Drink plenty of water
Water can help flush out toxins and chemicals from your body. It may take some time, however, depending on how long you have smoked. Try to drink 6-12 cups of water a day. This can also help boost your energy levels, which is important especially if you relied on cigarettes to make you alert.
When you stop, your body burns calories more slowly. Increased appetite: Nicotine in cigarettes suppresses your appetite, so you may feel hungrier when you quit. Improved taste and smell: After smoking, your taste buds return to normal, and food may taste better, making you want to eat more.
For example, when you quit, your lung capacity will increase and circulation will improve, allowing you to exercise more easily and burn those excess calories. Smoking's effect on your metabolism can also be dramatic, with some individuals showing a 10% increase in metabolic rate.
There's no concern that water thins down or weakens down (dilute) the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps how your body breaks down and processes food (digestion). Water is vital for good health.
Walking after eating may help regulate your blood sugar. A study in Sports Medicine found that when people went for a light walk after eating, their blood sugar levels rose and fell more gradually than if they stood up or continued sitting.
It's also best to start walking as soon as possible after finishing a meal since blood sugar levels tend to spike between 60 and 90 minutes after eating. Although you can choose to walk after any (or every) meal, many people tend to be less active after dinner, making it a good time to take a quick stroll.
Background: Heavy smokers (those who smoke greater than or equal to 25 or more cigarettes a day) are a subgroup who place themselves and others at risk for harmful health consequences and also are those least likely to achieve cessation.
Nicotine suppresses appetite and increases metabolism, and also serves as a behavioral alternative to eating or a distraction from hunger or food craving (Audrain-McGovern and Benowitz, 2011).
The science behind the marijuana munchies
Research involving cannabis has revealed that THC stimulates the endocannabinoid system, a complex area of the brain that regulates feeding behavior and energy balance. “It's hitting on some primitive areas of the brain, things that control appetite and emotions,” Hultin said.