Why do people gain weight when they quit smoking?

[Alexsayman]

Smoking increases metabolism slightly:
* Smoking burns up to 200 calories a day in a heavy smoker
* Because smoking burns calories, metabolism is boosted (increased) slightly
* Nicotine is an appetite suppressant
When you quit smoking, a gain of between 5 and 10 pounds during the first few months of cessation is normal. If your eating habits have remained the same as they were when you smoked, you can easily shed this small gain with a brisk, 30 minute walk daily.


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[dreymasten]

The first is that for many people, the physical withdrawal from nicotine feels like a craving. In the period immediately after quitting, smokers are in withdrawal feel "hungry" when in fact they know a pain to nicotine.