Hormones have the strongest influence on the feeling of hunger. They are the ones who send signals to the central nervous system. For example, the gut hormones glp-1 and PYY tell the brain when you are full. People who naturally have low levels of these substances often suffer from overeating.
The balance between hunger and satiety is also regulated by the hormones ghrelin and leptin. An empty stomach grumbles, reminding a person to eat, under the influence of ghrelin. If the intervals between meals are prolonged, leptin is produced from the body's adipose tissue, which suppresses the feeling of hunger. People with excess fat reserves are immune to the action of this hormone. On the contrary, any consumption of fat with a decrease in leptin levels is felt by them as a need for food.
Another hormone, serotonin, causes a feeling of happiness after eating. Its action is imitated by sugar-containing foods, which release a strong charge of energy into the blood and lift your mood. Serotonin is partly to blame for the fact that food is perceived as a drug that gives euphoria.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, also causes increased food cravings. In a state of nervous tension, a person may be attracted to food that provides a quick burst of energy, especially sweets and fatty foods. Cortisol accelerates the growth and accumulation of adipose tissue.
Hormones stimulate the feeling of hunger very selectively. Some people experience increased appetite when depressed, while others experience increased appetite when happy. Much depends on the type of food. For example, fatty foods deceive the brain. It seems to a person that he has eaten little, while a huge amount of calories is consumed with fat.
Other foods, on the contrary, create a long-lasting effect of satiety. Plant fiber causes a powerful release of intestinal hormones, which signal the brain that you are completely full. Animal proteins have a similar effect. In addition, protein foods relieve cravings for sweets.
Nuts, vegetables and beans, which are rich in complex carbohydrates, release energy more slowly than high-glycemic foods like sugar and white flour baked goods. Therefore, when transmitting, a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins and fiber is recommended. It is useful in situations that exclude excess weight gain - for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, as well as for pregnant women and athletes.
Small plates and spoons, large forks: for foods that reduce appetite
Psychologists say: the human psyche is designed in such a way that changing the size of dishes and cutlery affects the need for the volume of food consumed. Therefore, large plates can cause a person to eat more than he needs. And even professional nutritionists listen to this. Even if you eat foods that reduce your appetite, use small plates and spoons, and large forks. More details:
- A study by scientists showed that specialists who took part in the experiment and used large plates served themselves 30% more food than usual. And the strangest thing is that they couldn’t help themselves.
- The same goes for spoons. The larger its size, the more a person wants to absorb food. And the number of calories consumed increases by about 14.5% compared to eating from small spoons.
- With forks, everything is exactly the opposite. These cutlery, being large in size, reduce the likelihood of overeating by 10%.
Psychologists explain this phenomenon by the fact that, using miniature forks, a person cannot accurately determine how much he has already eaten.
Once again about the benefits of fruits and vegetables
- Almonds are an excellent source of essential nutrients. Even a handful of nuts is rich in antioxidants. Vitamin E and magnesium give a feeling of complete satiety, a person loses his appetite. As a result, you can postpone your next meal or get by with a small portion. Recommended for use, enjoy daily!
- Avocados are rich in fiber and saturated fatty acids, which are good for your heart. Fats designed to keep the body healthy quickly signal satiety.
- A small fruit salad before meals works real miracles: it affects the “greedy brain”. The average person needs to wait until 20 minutes have passed to limit their consumption of food from the main course. Perhaps he will abandon it altogether.
- Popular wisdom says that one apple a day can save you on a visit to the dentist. This fruit is not only a healthy food, but also a filling dish. We can go on and on about its usefulness.
- Apples contain fiber and pectin, the consumption of these fruits ensures complete satisfaction with the quality of the portion taken. They stabilize blood sugar levels, which also helps reduce appetite. But again, you need to wait a while until you finish the apple. The human consciousness requires several minutes to command the stomach: enough!
- Tomatoes contain chromium, which has a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Since tomatoes contain more than 90 percent water, they are considered low-calorie vegetables. So you can snack on them in the quantities you want.
Visualization of your favorite products
Scientific studies and observations have shown that a person who wants to lose weight does not have a great desire to consume prohibited foods if he periodically allows himself to eat them. He gets the feeling that they have already been eaten, and the craving for them disappears.
But there is one rule for visualizing your favorite products:
- For the method to work, “harmful” treats should be presented in large quantities.
- If you imagine that only a small piece of cake was eaten, then such visualization will not give any results.
- Therefore, you need to dream about sweets correctly.
You should imagine that before your eyes there is a huge cake, a lot of pastries, milk chocolate or other desserts. And they were all eaten in one go. If you coordinate your imagination correctly, it will help you overcome cravings for foods that are prohibited when losing weight.
Why and how does the feeling of hunger occur?
Hunger is a real scourge; it appears suddenly. Submitting to it, a person easily loses his sanity and loses control. Often, with hungry eyes, you can allow yourself too much, and even in large quantities. Hunger occurs due to lack of energy in the body. The body sends a signal to the brain about the need to replenish the energy balance, so the emptiness in the stomach becomes very noticeable.
In fact, when a person is hungry, it is good. This phenomenon indicates the normal functioning of the digestive system, which means food is consumed as it should. You need to avoid the mistake of not eating the first thing that comes to hand, but stocking up on foods that satisfy your hunger quickly, but do not spoil your figure. With a balanced diet, balance arises: all calories received are successfully processed and not stored on the sides.
Attention! When you feel hungry regularly, your body begins to store calories for the future, which makes losing weight more difficult.
Meditative eating: mindfully eating foods that reduce your appetite
This method, meditative eating, is based on a few simple rules:
- You need to eat food slowly, chewing every bite of food thoroughly.
- All distracting signals must be eliminated - this applies to TV, computer, telephone, books, newspapers and magazines, since attention diverted to them does not allow the body to understand when the moment of saturation has arrived.
- Eat food in complete silence.
- After eating each piece, you should carefully listen to your body, paying attention to your emotional state.
- When the first signs of satiety appear, you need to get up from the table.
Conscious consumption of foods that reduce appetite will help you develop the habit of eating little and only when you really want it. Before starting a meal, you should definitely think: “am I really hungry.” Perhaps you are simply thirsty, and a glass of water can replace “after-hours” food.
Final tips
Remember that it is better to start the weight loss process by visiting a nutritionist. The doctor will list foods that dull your appetite and are suitable for you, and will create a detailed diet with a balance of nutrients. If necessary, he will ask you to take certain tests, recommend taking certain nutritional supplements, and give advice on lifestyle corrections.
But the easiest way to lose weight is to give up bad habits, eating fast food and carbonated drinks. Make the transition to proper nutrition consciously and you will soon notice the first results of your efforts.
Eliminate breakfast: do not eat foods that reduce your appetite in the morning
Eating morning food coincides with the time of the release of the highest concentration of cortisol (stress hormone) into the blood. The more of this substance in the serum, the more the level of insulin produced increases. Its growth leads to a decrease in glucose levels, which increases appetite.
The importance and benefits of breakfast are still a matter of debate among nutritionists. However, one cannot deny the fact that eating in the morning can provoke an irresistible feeling of hunger throughout the day. Therefore, it is better to exclude breakfast altogether so as not to harm your figure. There is also no need to consume foods that reduce your appetite in the morning, especially if after breakfast you feel sleepy and your performance decreases.
What spices suppress hunger?
Not only foods can satisfy hunger, but also spices. When preparing any dishes, you can add a little herbs or spices, in addition to the aroma and taste, saturation will come much faster. The list of spices is presented below:
- ground ginger;
- dried and fresh mint;
- ground cinnamon;
- mustard;
- basil;
- ground red pepper;
- dill;
- parsley;
- turmeric;
- barberry;
- paprika.
The main thing is not to overdo it with spices, since most of them have a pronounced taste, so a little less than a tablespoon is enough to add flavor to the dish. If there is an excess, the spices will interrupt the taste of the main product, which will make it tasteless.
Products that reduce appetite: reviews
Women who radically changed their diet to include the previously discussed appetite-reducing foods were completely satisfied with their choice. This is evidenced by their numerous reviews:
Irina, 23 years old
After giving birth, I gained excess weight. Diets and fitness gave only temporary results. Then I decided that I would give up serious food restrictions and include in my menu more foods that are low in calories but create a feeling of fullness for a long time. I started cooking lentil porridges and soups, and started drinking coffee in the morning (which, by the way, I used to hate). It took almost six months to lose weight, but during this time I lost 8 kg.
Ivanna, 30 years old
I love avocados, they are very nutritious. And although my friends dissuaded me from eating it, because it is “fat,” I eat half of it every day. After this, the feeling of hunger does not visit me for 4-5 hours. At the same time, I follow a drinking regime and lead an active lifestyle. There was no trace left of the 12 kg I had gained during pregnancy.
Karina, 28 years old
I turned to a nutritionist 3 years ago, she radically changed my diet. She advised drinking no more than 2 cups of natural coffee a day, adding ginger root, lentils, eggs, avocado and dark chocolate to the menu. And most importantly, she told me to drink enough clean water and freshly squeezed homemade juices. It’s been 1.5 years since I forgot about the extra pounds, and what’s most interesting is that I have no cravings for unhealthy foods.
Proper nutrition is good. But it is important not to give up physical activity, which helps burn excess fat twice as fast. Do not forget about proper sleep, the absence of which provokes excessive appetite. The same goes for dealing with stress. Yoga, walks in the fresh air, relaxation in pleasant company - all these factors have a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state, which is directly related to the amount of food consumed. Good luck!
Methods
In order to get rid of appetite, you can use the following life hacks:
- Drink more water. In the morning, before breakfast, drink a glass (you can add lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey). Water will reduce your appetite and start the digestion process, giving you a boost of vigor and energy. To lose weight, it is recommended to drink 2.5 - 3 liters of pure still water or green tea per day.
- If you have an acute desire to pounce on food, eat a piece of dark chocolate, but not more than 50 grams per day. Dark chocolate is healthy for its high content of cocoa beans, which are rich in vitamins, macro- and microelements, and compares favorably with milk chocolate with less sugar.
- Eat fruits and vegetables. They contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals for your body. In addition, the fiber contained in vegetables and fruits very quickly saturates the body and speeds up metabolism.
- Limit your intake of salt, sugar and spices. They inflame hunger, and you will eat more than you really wanted.
Drugs
Various dietary supplements (abbreviated as dietary supplements) and appetite suppressant pills, as a rule, have side effects and contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, allergic reactions. Their effect is to suppress natural hormones by affecting the nervous system. This is fraught with various negative health consequences: allergies, digestive and nervous disorders. Taking the drug is a temporary measure, which is only an auxiliary action in the process of losing weight. If you intend to get rid of extra pounds forever, it is important to change your eating habits on a conscious level.
- Sveltform plus. The instructions say that the drug reduces appetite, cravings for sweets and starchy foods, and has a diuretic effect. The composition indicated by the manufacturer contains: yeast with chromium, Camellia sinensis (green tea), bladderwrack, vitamin C.
- Apetinol. The effectiveness of this dietary supplement has not been proven. The composition contains microcrystalline cellulose and pectin, which, due to swelling, create a feeling of fullness in the stomach and intestines. For those suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract during exacerbations, the drug is strictly contraindicated.
- XLS duo Slim and Shape. The composition contains cocoa butter and green tea, which speed up metabolism, as well as malic acid, apple extract, pineapple, parsley, grapefruit, fennel, black currant. The principle of action is identical to other drugs: acceleration of metabolic processes and removal of fluid.
- Garcinia forte. The drug contains garcinia extract, chromium, fucus, vitamin C, vitamin B6, kelp. Principle of action: suppresses cravings for sweets and starchy foods thanks to hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which maintains a high concentration of glucose in the blood.
- Turboslim. Main components: guarana and garcinia extracts. Principle of action: appetite suppression, acceleration of metabolic processes, diuretic and laxative effect.
- Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). How it works: Fiber fibers swell in the stomach, creating a feeling of fullness. Consumption of the drug suppresses food cravings, reduces the amount eaten, and accelerates the transit of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
If you decide to take a particular drug to reduce excessive cravings for food, consult your doctor. If there are no contraindications, strictly follow the dosage and under no circumstances try to increase the permissible dose. If you feel nausea, pain in the gastrointestinal tract, or weakness, stop taking the drug.