How to Suppress Your Appetite Naturally with Foods

So many of us struggle with our weight and those cravings throughout the day. What if you could suppress your appetite naturally, with food? What a great idea, I say!

Here are some healthy foods that will help tame those cravings:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Oatmeal
• Apples
• Salad
• Green Tea
• Lemon
• Pine Nuts
• Flax Seeds
• Quality Dark Chocolate

1. 
    
   Bowl of Oatmeal

   Let's start with breakfast. Have a bowl of real oatmeal, not instant. Not only is it delicious and filling, but it helps reduce cholesterol as well. And because it is low on the glycemic index and high on fiber, it helps you stay fuller, longer.

2. 
    
   An Apple A Day Keeps The Hunger Away

   For a morning snack, have an apple. Apples are packed with fiber and since you have to chew them longer, this also helps your brain register that you are full.

3. 
    
   Salads Are Healthy and Filling

   For lunch, have a salad. Again, salads are crunchy and full of fiber, so they must be chewed longer, sending those, "I'm full!" signals to your brain.
   
   Keep the dressing on the light side or omit it all together. A little trick you can use is to have the dressing on the side and dip your fork into the dressing before putting salad on your fork. You still the get the taste of the dressing, with much less calories.

4. 
    
   Drink Water with a Twist of Lemon

   Have a bottle of water with lunch and throughout the day to keep hunger at bay. Try a twist of lemon in your water, some people say that the sour taste of lemon, helps to suppress your appetite naturally, as well.

5. 
    
   Trail Mix

   For an afternoon snack, try Flax Seeds or Pine Nuts, or a trail mix which includes both.
   
   Pine nuts contain pinolenic acid, a naturally occurring polyunsaturated fat that stimulates two powerful hunger suppressing hormones. Both hormones play a major role in signaling to the brain that you're no longer hungry.
   
   Flax Seeds are rich in Omega-3 fats and fiber. Studies at the National Cancer Institute also show that flaxseeds have cancer preventive properties and lower cholesterol.

6. 
    
   Organice Dark Chocolate

   Craving chocolate? Try some high quality, organic dark chocolate. It is rich in antioxidants and that bittersweet taste helps to curb hunger. Less is best, remember, everything in moderation. (Drats!)

7. 
    
   Green Tea with Chamomille

   And finally, before going to bed, try a cup of Green Chamomile Tea to lull you and your appetite to sleep. Green tea is another appetite suppressing food, which is thought to naturally help boost your immune system and mental alertness, while Chamomile helps your body rest and get ready for a good night's sleep.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check with a physician before changing your diet.

Resources

• WebMD: Dark Chocolate Is Healthy Chocolate
• Book: Spiritual Fitness: 7 Steps to Living Well

[Malzeke]

on 2/26/2009 That is definitely a healthy diet. Great article!

[writeitout]

on 2/26/2009 I love steel cut oats. Great tips, 5*

[00Analana]

on 2/25/2009 Thanks for sharing these tips, I hadn't heard that flax seed and pine nuts help suppress your appetite.

[MSmith]

on 2/24/2009 Great tips. I use the chocolate calcium from Costco for my chocolate fix. Three doses a day keeps me up to date with my calcium intake and satisfy my choc craving. *****

[georgelarson]

on 2/24/2009 Good information about suppressing your appetite. Thanks.