What Foods Suppress Appetite?

Appetite is not only suppressed by the amount of food you eat--you also feel full when your body receives the proper nutrients and nourishment. Foods packed with vitamins, minerals, water, protein, omega fatty-acids and fiber will satiate hunger while fueling your body. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins will suppress appetite and should be a part of a well-balanced diet.

What To Eat

Eating healthfully will naturally satisfy hunger and your daily nutrient requirements. Your body absorbs the nourishment it needs, storing vitamins and passing waste and excess nutrients. Foods with lots of sugar and fat don't offer any nutritional value and will leave you still feeling hungry, according to weightlossnutrition.org.

Incorporate fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, whole grains and nuts into your regular diet; they are loaded with essential fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals to suppress appetite, boost metabolism and reduce body fat. Avocados, oatmeal, spinach, apples, edamame, raspberries, popcorn, grapefruit, asparagus, broccoli, pomegranate and artichoke among the most beneficial foods in fulfilling your hunger.

How Foods Suppress Appetite

Foods suppress appetite because of how your body responds and digests it; fiber, vitamins, protein and water help you feel full by storing, cleansing or passing nutrients through your system. According to Women's Health Magazine, fiber is the indigestible part of a plant--it will bulk up in your stomach to make you feel full but won't be absorbed by your body. Instead, fiber helps push waste through your digestive system, slows glucose in your body to make you feel less hungry and fights to prevent heart disease, numerous cancers and diabetes.

According to weightlossforall.com, when protein is converted to glucose, it gives you energy, absorbs nutrients and helps your body store water. Protein itself provides hunger-satisfying bulk and slows digestion while allowing your body to access essential vitamins. To get more fiber and protein in your diet, add flaxseed to salads, drink whey protein shakes and eat tofu, pine nuts, bananas and lean meats.

Water Benefits

Water and water-rich foods play an important role in suppressing hunger. Water boosts your metabolism, gives you energy, curbs appetite and helps all aspects of your body function properly. Celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons and peaches are high in fiber, help hydrate and flush excess fat and waste from the body. Thirst is often confused with hunger, but by keeping your body hydrated, you can avoid overeating.

Misconceptions

It is a common misconception that you should eat until you feel full; this often leads to poor nutrition, bad eating habits and weight problems. You should instead consume a healthy, well-balanced diet to satisfy nutritional needs and suppress your appetite.

Considerations

Avoid sugars, starches and processed fillers that have no nutrients; your body will instead absorb the fat for energy and you will still feel hungry, according to weightlossnutrition.org. Instead, consume fruit smoothies or protein shakes, vegetables with hummus or almonds. Eat a small salad or drink an extra glass of water before your meal to satiate hunger.

References

• Weight Loss Guide: Foods that Suppress Appetite
• High Protein Diets for Weight Loss
• US Department of Agriculture: Food Guide Pyramid