Fitness
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

Are There Any Foods Which Curb the Appetite?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Suppressing one's appetite can be a true challenge with any diet plan. In order for many diets to work as advertised, there may be periods of hunger which must be endured. Fortunately, there are a number of foods which can curb the appetite without adding a significant amount of calories, fat or carbohydrates to the diet plan. These foods may not completely eliminate hunger pangs, but many of them will suppress the appetite long enough for the dieter to eat a regularly scheduled meal without snacking.

One food item which can curb the appetite is the common apple. An apple is loaded with natural fiber, which helps to create fullness without adding a significant amount of calories. Apples also contain natural sugars which could prevent a dieter's blood sugar level from bottoming out, a situation which often triggers a desire to consume extra carbohydrates. If you feel the need to eat a snack between meals, reach for an apple.

Almonds, which may help curb appetite.
Almonds, which may help curb appetite.

Another group of foods which may curb the appetite are green leafy vegetables. Kale, spinach, or cabbage, among others, can provide significant amounts of appetite-suppressing fiber while contributing minimal or even negative calories. The effort expended while eating green leafy vegetables often negates their caloric value, making them ideal appetite suppressants during or between meals.

Apples, which have a lot of natural fiber, can help curb the appetite.
Apples, which have a lot of natural fiber, can help curb the appetite.

Some nutritionists suggest that almonds or other nuts can help hunger between regular meals. Again, a high amount of natural fiber slows down the digestive process, and the protein found in many nuts has the same appetite-suppression elements of lean meats or protein shakes. A handful of almonds eaten between meals should be enough to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Napa cabbage contains appetite-suppressing fiber.
Napa cabbage contains appetite-suppressing fiber.

Speaking of lean meats and protein shakes, they can also be used to curb a person's appetite. It may seem counter-intuitive to eat a piece of lean beef or chicken by itself, but the protein contained in lean meats takes longer to digest than the carbohydrates found in other possible snacks. A few pieces of beef jerky may curb hunger between meals better than a bag of potato chips. Protein shakes made from natural spirutein may also provide the same effect on a dieter's appetite.

Kale has few calories and can help curb the appetite.
Kale has few calories and can help curb the appetite.

Although not strictly a food item, many people find that water is an excellent and effective appetite suppressant. When hunger pangs strike between scheduled meals, drinking at least one glass of water can help create a sense of fullness without adding calories. Water enhanced with powdered fiber supplements may be an even more effective solution.

Lean meats can be eaten to help suppress a person's appetite.
Lean meats can be eaten to help suppress a person's appetite.

Some dieters claim success against hunger pangs by consuming certain herbs or other natural supplements. Powdered guar gum can be purchased at many health food stores and used as a natural appetite suppressant. The powdered guar gum turns into a thick gel in the stomach, which creates a sense of fullness between meals. Overuse of products containing guar gum, however, can cause serious gastrointestinal problems, including a complete blockage of the large intestine. A natural product called hoodia is also said to curb the appetite, but users should educate themselves on the proper type of hoodia to use before purchasing it.

No food can completely eliminate hunger between meals, but foods containing high amounts of natural fiber or protein should help dieters prevent the worst of the symptoms and keep their blood sugar levels in check.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon70583

I want to lose weight but at the same time i can't eat cabbage and spinach etc as I am having thyroid problem. I am a veggie. I am told to avoid iodine food such as cabbage, spinach etc. What diet will be suitable for me? Mohan

jimgaming

MSG and all its forms can overstimulate the appetite! Eliminate all MSG.

anon70508

Cucumber and watermelon are two vegetables which can be taken raw and have no calorific value. In fact many hospitals in India use them in their diet plan for the patients in need of weight management.

anon70431

I find that sugars and carbohydrates (that eventually turn into sugars)cause me to be very hungry. When I avoid them, I am simply not as hungry. circusvue

sevenseas

In general, foods high in protein will keep us satisfied longer than foods high in carbs.

Not only that but people are happy with smaller portions one study found. So it seems that protein has hunger suppressing ability.

So if I wanted to loose weight I would cut back on carbohydrates and focus more on foods higher in protein. If on the other hand I wanted to gain weight I would eat more healthy carbs.

anon18974

Many people might be interested in curbing their appetite but what about those of us who might like to stimulate our appetite and get up to a healthier weight without eating junkfood?

I vaguely recall reading that chili helped stimulate the appetite but I'd like to get some simple suggestions that might help.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Almonds, which may help curb appetite.
      By: Elenathewise
      Almonds, which may help curb appetite.
    • Apples, which have a lot of natural fiber, can help curb the appetite.
      By: tesgro
      Apples, which have a lot of natural fiber, can help curb the appetite.
    • Napa cabbage contains appetite-suppressing fiber.
      By: Leonid Nyshko
      Napa cabbage contains appetite-suppressing fiber.
    • Kale has few calories and can help curb the appetite.
      By: silencefoto
      Kale has few calories and can help curb the appetite.
    • Lean meats can be eaten to help suppress a person's appetite.
      By: ExQuisine
      Lean meats can be eaten to help suppress a person's appetite.
    • Drinking several glasses of water per day may help to curb the appetite.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking several glasses of water per day may help to curb the appetite.
    • Spinach is very high in fiber, which can help curb the appetite.
      By: anjelagr
      Spinach is very high in fiber, which can help curb the appetite.
    • Powdered shake mix can be used to curb appetite.
      By: lculig
      Powdered shake mix can be used to curb appetite.