Trying to quit smoking in 2024? Avoid these trigger foods known to cause nicotine cravings

Trying to quit smoking? Give up more than the cigs if you want to make it stick, according to science.

What you eat while going cold turkey can make a big difference — and some foods could derail even the most committed quitter, an expert from gosmokefree.co.uk told The Mirror.

There are four types of foods — and one very popular drink — that wannabe ex-smokers should write off completely as they struggle with the popular new year’s resolution.

Any spicy foods, snacks high in sugar, fried foods — sorry, french fry lovers — and foods with high sodium content should be considered a no-no.

“It’s key to be aware of your diet, as spicy and sugary foods can trigger nicotine [cravings],” the unnamed expert said. “Furthermore, if you opt for excessively sugary foods when quitting smoking, you run the risk of forming a sugar addiction as a replacement for nicotine.”

“Fried foods should also be avoided, as they can contribute to excess torso fat and add pressure to the diaphragm. For anyone in the process of quitting smoking, this increased pressure can exacerbate breathing difficulties and make the journey more challenging.”

“An overconsumption of salt can result in water retention in the body, creating additional weight around the diaphragm. This also causes extra pressure that can restrict breathing and make sticking to your goals harder.”

And then, there’s coffee.

“Coffee acts as a trigger for smoking nicotine because the caffeine in coffee enhances the stimulating effects of cigarettes, creating a synergistic buzz,” the expert warned.

“The pairing of coffee and cigarettes often becomes a habitual and reinforcing routine, strengthening the association between the two, making it challenging for those trying to quit smoking.”

Food cravings are just one known side effect quitters experience — mood swings, congestion and coughing and insomnia can be issues as well.

“For those who are finding it difficult to manage side effects, practice breathing exercises and meditation, build up your exercise routine so you have a healthy outlet for your frustrations, and contact a counseling service if you need to talk,” the expert said.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, which also notes that nearly 70% of adults who smoke say they want to quit. More than 50% of those adults try to quit each year.

A whopping 48,000 Americans die from smoking every year — that’s 1 in 5 deaths.

A recent study suggested that smoking more than doubles your risk for mental illness.