Have you ever tried to start a diet, only to find yourself starving in the afternoon / evening?
I can relate…. I’ll usually eat pretty healthy for breakfast & lunch, even dinner…. but then I find myself in the snack cubby at 9PM, grabbing whatever sweet or savory item I can find to satiate my hunger.
Hunger is your body’s way of saying it thinks it needs fuel… But when you’re dieting, and your brain THINKS you’re going to feed it more than you plan to, it can still send these signals out.
For example, if your body has been consuming 2500 calories every day, that’s what it is used to. Then on a diet, if you’re only consuming 2000 calories a day, your brain can signal that you’re 500 calories short…. hence the hunger pangs.
Here’s 8 simple tips / tricks to help suppress your appetite!
- Increase Protein Intake: Foods high in protein can help you feel fuller for longer. Incorporating lean meats, eggs, legumes, and dairy products into your meals can reduce hunger and help curb overeating.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking water before meals can help decrease appetite. Sometimes, thirst is confused with hunger, so keeping hydrated can prevent unnecessary snacking.
- Eat More Fiber: Foods rich in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, slow down digestion and increase satiety. Including these in your diet can help you feel full throughout the day.
- Mindful Eating: Pay attention to what and when you eat. Eating without distractions, such as turning off the TV and putting away your phone during meals, can help you recognize your body’s hunger and fullness signals more effectively.
- Regular Meals: Eating at regular intervals can prevent excessive hunger. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later.
- Healthy Fats: Incorporating healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil can also prolong feelings of fullness and delay hunger signals.
- Spice It Up: Spices like cayenne pepper contain capsaicin, which has been shown to boost metabolism and create a feeling of fullness.
- Limit Sugary Foods and Refined Carbs: These can spike your blood sugar levels and lead to a crash, which increases hunger. Focusing on whole foods over processed foods helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
By integrating these strategies into your lifestyle, you can manage your appetite more effectively and support your overall health.
Keep moving… Stay moving… Stay healthy!
In good health,
Cam Peavy & The Infinity Team
