Does Vaping Make You Gain Weight?

Some vapers notice a change in their weight levels, leading them to ask 'does vaping make you gain weight?' If you notice a difference in your metabolism around this time then it's a pretty fair question. Just a coincidence? or does vaping actually cause you to gain weight?

In short, no, vaping does not directly cause weight gain. Weight changes are normally linked to factors like lifestyle change, a change in eating habits and ageing. 

In this article, we break down what goes into e-liquid, the effects on your appetite and whether vaping can actually contribute to weight gain...

What is in e-liquid?

Before learning if vaping affects your weight, it makes sense to know what goes into vape juice in the first place. E-liquid is made up of just a handful of primary ingredients, all with their own specific purpose. Here is a list of all the main e-liquid ingredients and what they do for you.

• Vegetable Glycerine (VG) - VG creates the vapour you enjoy. This is a clear, thick liquid that's used as a sweetener in many foods, including ice cream, cereals and fizzy drinks. In vapes, this produces thick clouds and a smooth throat sensation. High VG (70VG+) e-liquids should be used in sub-ohm vape kits and not low-powered pod kits as thicker e-liquids need more power to vapourise.
• Propylene Glycerine (PG) - This creates the flavour. PG is a thinner liquid that blends with flavourings and creates a sweet, crisp taste. This is often used in baked foods to help keep it moist. High PG e-liquids (50PG+) always work best in low-powered pod kits as they're very thin and don't require much power to vapourise.
• Flavourings - Flavourings are plant extracts that make up around 10-20% of the e-liquid. These give you the fruit, menthol, dessert and other flavours you experience when you vape.
• Nicotine - This is an addictive stimulant and the reason why most vapers vape. It delivers a temporary dopamine hit, giving you that 'feel-good' feeling when you puff. This will also have an effect on your eating habits.

Does nicotine affect your appetite?

Yes, but not in the sense of eating more - quite the opposite actually. Nicotine is an appetite-suppressant that speeds up your metabolism and curbs your food cravings. This means many vapers or smokers will find themselves snacking less and sometimes losing a bit of weight.

Vapers rarely find themselves eating more or gaining weight because of nicotine. This will usually only happen if they move to a high-calorie diet, have a lifestyle change or experience a natural slowing of metabolism caused by age.

Does e-liquid contain calories?

Technically, yes, e-liquid does contain calories, but they're very minimal - not like in food and drink. E-liquid gets its calories from its primary ingredients like Vegetable Glycerine and Propylene Glycerine. 

Calories are also consumed very differently in vapes, compared to food and drink. The calories in food and drink are naturally broken down in the stomach where they're burned and used for energy, while vapour is breathed into the lungs instead of being digested in the stomach. This makes vape calories very unlikely to add to your weight. If you'd like to learn more check out our article on calories and vaping.

How to manage weight while vaping

If you notice you are gaining weight while vaping there are some ways this can be controlled. With lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a low-calorie diet, this can help keep your weight at a healthy level while still enjoying vaping. Here is a list of things you can do to maintain your weight while vaping:

• Stay Hydrated - Apart from being extremely good for your health, water is also an appetite suppressant. Water mildly speeds up your metabolism and gives your stomach that 'full' feeling. So when you're next feeling 'snacky', consider a glass of water.
• Exercise Regularly - A pretty obvious one, but exercise is a great way of keeping your weight down. Even just a one-mile walk can burn between 70-100 calories, which, when combined with a healthy diet, can be very effective.
• Choose Low-calorie Snacks - Rather than munching on high-calorie snacks like crisps or chocolate, consider healthier options like fruit or nuts (unsalted). Fruits contain natural sugars and fibre, while nuts contain healthy fats and protein, both offering a great way of staying fuller for longer.
• Eat Balanced Meals - Vouch for meals that are rich in healthy fats and fibre. Dishes like grilled salmon, sweet potato and vegetables offer a great balance of protein, healthy fats and fibre.
• Choose Non-sweet Flavours - Vapes with rich fruit, dessert or fizzy drink-flavours may increase your cravings for sweet things. Consider moving to non-sweet options like tobacco or menthol flavours.
  

What happens when you quit smoking or vaping?

People often ask 'does vaping make you gain weight?' when they notice changes after quitting smoking or vaping. Most vapers or smokers notice feeling hungrier after quitting. As your body copes without nicotine, your metabolism slows down and your appetite increases - especially in the early stages. Your food cravings are usually at their most intense on days 1-3 after quitting, so you'll probably find yourself wanting to snack a lot more during this time. You will also notice that your taste improves, making food more appealing. 

This is all completely normal and will settle with time. If you're worried about food cravings, then consider stocking up on healthy snacks like fruit or nuts rather than high-calorie options like crisps, chocolate or ice cream. Learn more here on quitting smoking and weight gain.

Conclusion - Does Vaping Make You Gain Weight?

Vapers can experience weight gain, but this isn't normally down to vapes or e-liquids. Vapour contains very few calories and is not processed in the same way as food or drink, making it very unlikely to affect your weight. So when asking 'does vaping make you gain weight?' the answer is usually 'no'. The most common causes of weight gain are usually liked to lifestyle changes, eating habits or your metabolism naturally slowing with age. 

If you do find yourself eating more after moving to vapes, taking simple steps like drinking water, staying active and cutting down on high-calorie snacks will help keep your weight under control while supporting a healthier lifestyle.

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