Natural Hunger Suppressants

Controlling hunger can be the biggest challenge for those who are on a weight loss program. It is a fact that obesity has reached the level of an epidemic in the U.S. Moreover, there are millions of overweight people who are not obese but need to shed the extra pounds. Every day, new weight loss diets or programs are being announced. People are crazy about fad diets which are advertised as 'the fastest way to lose weight'. Most of the dieters end up in weight gain after diet or suffer from severe side effects of the supplements. People generally find it difficult to say 'no' to their favorite dishes. They cannot avoid untimely snacks as they cannot control their hunger pangs. Incorporating natural foods and drinks in the diet that work as natural appetite suppressants is the best way to lose or maintain weight.

Foods that Curb Your Appetite

These days, natural hunger suppressant pills are available in market but the pills can cause side effects like nervousness, restlessness and insomnia. So it is better and safe to incorporate natural hunger suppressant foods and drinks in your diet regularly. Here are some examples:

Apple: Apple is a low carb high fiber fruit. Eating an apple with skin during breakfast can keep you satiated for longer time. It takes more time to eat an uncut apple and the process conveys the message to the brain that the stomach is full. Apple with cinnamon, apple cider vinegar also help control the appetite and keep you from overeating. Other fruits like lemon or lime, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, apricots, grapefruit, peaches, grapes, etc. can be consumed as snacks. These are low in calories and help suppress appetite.

Vegetables: Include maximum green leafy vegetables in your diet. High amount of fiber in vegetables like spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, sea vegetables, etc. promote slow rise in blood sugar levels. Moreover, vegetables do not contain much calories and fat. So they can be included in any weight loss diet plan. Drinking juice of vegetables before meals is the best way to lower the food intake. Vegetables being bulky help suppress your hunger.

Oatmeal and Flaxseed: Both are good sources of fiber and carbohydrates. If you have oatmeal and flaxseed for breakfast, you won't feel hungry afterwards. Not only they help suppress the appetite but also offer several health benefits like glowing skin, strong immune system, etc.

Hot Beverages: All of us know that beverages like tea and coffee help suppress appetite. But it is better to consume green tea or other herbal teas like oolong tea and pu-erh tea that work as natural hunger suppressants. Green tea triggers the release of some hormones which help control your hunger. Read more on leptin and ghrelin to know how do hunger controlling hormones work. Avoid adding sugar or cream to the drink.

Water: Water plays an important role in suppressing your appetite. It also offers health benefits, as it promotes detoxification and helps avoid dehydration. Instead of drinking soda or soft drinks, you can always have plain drinking water. Drinking at least 7-8 glasses of water in a day is the best way to suppress your hunger. You may enjoy lemon water (warm or cold) or fruit juices as hunger suppressants. Having water before meals is the simplest way to control hunger.

Soups and Salads: Enjoying a hot bowl of soup before meals and eating lots of fruits and vegetables through salad before the meals is the easiest way to curb your hunger pangs. Salads should contain low fat dressing.

Hoodia Gardonii: This is a cactus like plant native to Africa. Its extract is available in the markets in the form of pills. Hoodia is expensive but it is one of the safest appetite suppressants available today. It makes the brain believe that the stomach is full.

The list of natural hunger suppressants does not end here. These were just some examples of foods that work as appetite suppressants. Besides incorporating these foods in diet, you can also follow some simple tips like instead of having 2-3 meals, have smaller quantities of more meals. Chewing the food properly and eating the food leisurely also helps control hunger.