Candy & Quitting Smoking

March 17, 2005 8:26 AM

I have recently quit smoking and thanks to the oral-fixation soothing powers of Altoids, I've been doing fairly well. Unfortunately...

Unfortunately, the Altoids have started to give me terrible heartburn and I can't take antacids because of my blood pressure medication. Bit O Honeys and Twizzler Bites are poor replacements- I really need a hard candy with a shockingly strong flavor, but I'm coming up with nothing. Can anyone suggest a hard candy (not sour) that fits this description? I'm happy to order online/overseas.

(Other low-calorie food suggestions welcome; I've already got tons of carrot and celery sticks.)

posted by headspace to Health & Fitness (39 answers total)

No suggestions for hard candy, but for low calorie food, try this:

Every time you feel a craving, drink 4 glasses of water. Also, completely cut caffeine out of your diet. It will make things much easier.
posted by null terminated at 8:29 AM on March 17, 2005

What about pretzel rods?
posted by bondcliff at 8:33 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Ginger candy sounds best. Some of 'em are really strong. Other ideas: Cinnamon candy. Or nips. Sugar-free "gourmet" jelly beans.
posted by callmejay at 8:37 AM on March 17, 2005

peppermints--strong flavor and good for the stomach. or cinnamon redhots.
posted by amberglow at 8:39 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: It's not candy, but cinnamon toothpicks worked wonders for me when I quit.
posted by stefanie at 8:39 AM on March 17, 2005

Licorice--the strong, foreign kind, not the chewy ropes.
posted by magicbus at 8:40 AM on March 17, 2005

FYI - licorice is a no-no for people with blood pressure issues. I've occasionally come across some really strong ginger candies in an altoid-like box. They're great, and will probably reduce your heartburn as well.
posted by nixxon at 8:50 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: You should try Smints (here's their web site, filled with flash goodness). These little buggers are intense, though not quite as intense as altoids, so odds are they won't screw with your stomach. In addition, they're actually supposed to be good for your teeth.
posted by SteveInMaine at 8:53 AM on March 17, 2005

Do other Altoid brand candies produce the same heart-burning issues?

The Citrus Sours by Altoids are really strong and well flavored.

All of the Altoid Flavors can be found here.
posted by nitsuj at 8:56 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: I've been rocking the orbitz gum lately.
posted by trbrts at 9:00 AM on March 17, 2005

I wonder if Altoid's sugar-free smalls would cause the same problem or not? Perhaps worth a try. In any event, best of luck to you with quitting.
posted by caddis at 9:05 AM on March 17, 2005

Fisherman's Friend throat lozenges are surprisingly strong as well
posted by seawallrunner at 9:08 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Jolly Ranchers?

I myself at a shitload of CornNuts when I quit.
posted by scarabic at 9:22 AM on March 17, 2005

Smints are great--tiny, but incredibly strong (and very cool packaging)
posted by amberglow at 9:24 AM on March 17, 2005

I quit smoking with the help of tootsie pops. They satisfied the oral fixation, gave me something to do with my hands and I got the reward of all that sugary goodness.
posted by wsg at 9:28 AM on March 17, 2005

I used Nicorette gum to quit nearly three months ago. It has a strong flavor and enough nicotine to satisfy the craving. I don't think that I would have made it this far without it.

I don't think that quiting caffeine is practical when you're trying to give up nicotine. I wouldn't even try it.
posted by Juicylicious at 9:37 AM on March 17, 2005

I've never smoked, but recently sent several packs of these delicious "chewing sticks" to a friend who just quit, and she says they've helped her immensely.
Plus, they give you nice breath and help clean yer teefs! And make you look like a longshoreman! I chew them all day long.
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:54 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Atomic Fireball red hot cinnamon jaw-breakers. You can get them in, like, 5 gallon jars at Costco. When you finish the jar, recover with baby-cut carrots. Best of luck.
posted by klarck at 9:56 AM on March 17, 2005

Every time you feel a craving, drink 4 glasses of water.

Jesus. That sounds like a way to die if you have a real addiction.
posted by Mo Nickels at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2005

Lemonheads. They even make them in little lemonhead lollipops for the added joy of having something sticking out of your mouth and to occupy your hands.

Dum Dums might also be good for that purpose.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2005

Watch yourself with the various sour candies, the substances used in most of them to create the sour taste can be hard on your teeth and gums. I can't say whether they cause any lasting harm but they certainly can create extreme sensitivities, particularly if you have the slightest amount of gum recession.
posted by phearlez at 10:32 AM on March 17, 2005

headspace said "not sour", guys.

I like the ginger and liquorice flavored Altoids, but I hate having sugar on my teeth (you might want to think about that), so I use tea tree oil toothpicks. I love love love them.

Dr. Wu, those are my brand!
posted by Specklet at 10:44 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Maybe ice chips? No calories, plus when you have one in your mouth, you certainly know it, thus satisfying the oral fixation.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:04 AM on March 17, 2005

I had forgotten about cinamon toothpicks - we used to chew on them all the time when I was a kid. Where would I find these delightful things now?
posted by Irontom at 11:09 AM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Ginger Chews. You can prolly get a little package of 'em at your local Chinese grocer. They usually come in small rectangular cigarette pack type packages.
posted by stray at 11:11 AM on March 17, 2005

Irontom, you can make your own!
posted by Specklet at 11:16 AM on March 17, 2005

go to the bulk food section and get a bag of candied ginger. Chewy and SUPER GINGERY!!! (As i type that i visualise ginger flying over a skyline with a cape.)

Anyways candied ginger is strong enough that i always need to take little teeny bites, so bigger bites would probably do the overwhelm-your-mouth-thing you're going for.
posted by Kololo at 11:33 AM on March 17, 2005

Spree -- I chomp them, but you don't have to.
posted by suchatreat at 11:53 AM on March 17, 2005

I don't have any good suggestions for candy, but congratulations on quitting smoking! I'm approaching one month quit, myself.

I do have one non-candy idea: use the power of suggestion to convince yourself that you don't have an oral fixation after all! If it's harmful or a burden to believe that you have to substitute something for the cigarettes, convince yourself to believe something else. You can quit smoking forever. Your beliefs and your actions are under your own control. Good luck!
posted by acridrabbit at 12:39 PM on March 17, 2005

SuperLemons. You can find them in Asian supermarkets.
posted by duck at 12:40 PM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Root Beer Barrels. There are a few different versions, some of which are more strongly or sharply flavored than others, and none of them are sour, which meets your taste criterion.
posted by majick at 3:27 PM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: I've found that when I quit smoking, I developed a Jolly Rancher addiction. Not the ones that come in rolls, but the ones that are individually wrapped. You can find them in your bulk-foods aisle at your local grocery store.

I particularly like the cherry and the blue ones. They taste very strong and last for a long, long time. And, if you get them in the bulk aisle, you can pick which flavors you want!

Oh, make sure you have dental :)
posted by punkrockrat at 4:01 PM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: If you like the taste of ginger, then check out The Ginger People They have strong ginger candy called Gin-Gins, and soft candies made of ginger+peanuts, ginger+apples, ginger toffee... etc

A nice sharp taste without the tiresome mint taste.
posted by seawallrunner at 4:15 PM on March 17, 2005

Myntz are sugar free, have intense mint flavor and are hard.

I buy mine at Trader Joe's.
posted by Four Flavors at 4:38 PM on March 17, 2005

I used tangerines, it really helped that I had to stop and peel them before I could eat them. Good luck!
posted by yodelingisfun at 4:52 PM on March 17, 2005

Response by poster: Wow, thank you guys all so much for your suggestions- I'm going to be trying most of them! I can't believe I forgot about Spree, and I can't believe I never heard of Root Beer Barrels or Candied Ginger. Tangerines and pretzels sound awesome, too! I appreciate you all offering so many ideas, I look forward to trying them! (No worries on the licorice, btw- I take BP medication for my migraines, not my BP, go figure!)
posted by headspace at 7:52 PM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Search for tea tree oil chewing sticks....enjoy.
posted by Kifer85 at 10:30 PM on March 17, 2005

Best answer: Congrats on quitting. Just another suggestion: Trident White Peppermint gum. It's got a very nice bite, and helps whiten your teeth if they need it.
posted by melissa may at 12:28 AM on March 18, 2005

Response by poster: November update: with gum, gingers, and all the different kinds of candies y'all suggested (I went to town buying candy!) I haven't had a cigarette since I quit in March. Thank you guys so much for your suggestions *and* your encouragement!
posted by headspace at 12:11 PM on November 30, 2005