7 Appetite-Suppressing Foods To Conquer Your Cravings

If you're like most people, conquering your cravings is one of the biggest challenges you face in your fitness and weight loss journey. As soon as the word "diet" crosses your lips, you may start craving all the junk you know you're not supposed to eat. The secret is eating the right foods to help calm the cravings instead of the wrong ones. Add these 7 easy-to-find, tasty foods to your meal plan, and take control of your appetite before it takes control of you!

Appetite Suppressing Foods #1: Protein Shake
This is the key ingredient of how I lost 70 pounds in 4 months and have kept it off for over 15 years. Meal replacements do not have to be bland to be effective. This is the ultimate fast food - 1 minute in the blender with milk and fruit, that is it. Not only will you suppress your appetite, but you will get all the nutrition of a well balanced meal without the calories. There is a reason why this works and a plate of pancakes with syrup does not.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #2: Water
OK, so this is not technically a food, but you already know it is the healthiest and cheapest thing to drink. Forget all the bottled varieties. Tap water never killed anyone. A lot of times when you think you are hungry, you are really thirsty. One tall glass of cool water will quench your thirst and suppress any cravings you have. If it does not totally do the trick, at least it will cause you to eat less than if you had not drank anything at all.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #3: Apples
There is a reason for the saying "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away." Not only are apples nutritious, but they contain pectin, a soluble fiber that helps regulate blood sugar, keeps you full, and sustains your energy. One medium apple with skin contains 4 grams of fiber, which is more than you'd get in an average slice of whole wheat bread. Eat an apple instead of a bag of potato chips the next time you want a snack.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #4: Beans
The fiber in beans increases a digestive hormone that is a natural appetite suppressant. Beans also keep your blood sugar steady, which helps stave off hunger. Beans now come in a variety of flavors, so you do not have to worry about eating something bland. Just remember not to eat a lot of the kind spiked with brown sugar, and do not help yourself to a large plate of rice as a compliment. That would just defeat the purpose all-together.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #5: Oatmeal
This hot cereal is high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, which means it fills you up and takes a long time to digest. Diets high in slow-burning carbohydrates like oatmeal suppress the hunger hormones more effectively than diets high in fat. When you eat oatmeal, you may find that your appetite is lower at time during the rest of the day. If you need extra flavor, add a little brown sugar, raisins or honey on your own instead of buying the processed flavors.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #6: Vegetables
How could you not see this one coming? The fiber in typical salad vegetables like lettuce, carrots, spinach, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, and peppers is very filling and helps slow the release of glucose into your bloodstream. Be sensible and leave the dips at the grocery store. Most of them are high in fat and sugar. Salsa and guacamole are healthy alternatives to mayonnaise and oil based dressings.

Appetite Suppressing Foods #7: Green Tea
What is with all these drinks in this list? Well, like I said before, sometimes you are thirsty and not hungry...and liquids always surpress appetite to one extent or another. If you want a super drink as an alternative to water, try green tea. Not only will it give you an abundance of energy, it also has the ability to speed up metabolism and make you feel as though you should start eating healthier all-together.

There are no short cuts to eating well. You either learn to eat fresh, non processed foods more than junk foods, or you spend your life struggling with your weight and health. No pill or gadget you see on TV will provide an effective short cut, so stop wasting your time looking to cut corners. If you find yourself hungry, try the choices above  instead of grabbing for that bag of cookies or potato chips. Your body will thank you.