Our Experts

Joy's Healthy Bite

Simple Ways to Suppress Your Appetite

Mar 28 09:26am

Check out these practical, everyday ways to keep your appetite under control:

Get Enough ZZZZZ
Sleep deprivation causes an imbalance in certain hormones, including ghrelin (which increases appetite) and leptin (which decreases appetite). When we don’t get enough sleep, our levels of ghrelin go up (weight gain) and levels of leptin go down (so we are hungrier). That said, adults should aim for at least seven hours of shuteye each night. 

Eat Protein and Fiber at Meals
Compared to carbohydrate and fat, protein takes more time to digest and therefore keeps you full longer. Fiber helps by absorbing water, and then expanding in your stomach – literally creating bulk to make you feel fuller and have less room for more.  

Less Variety, More Satisfaction
Keep less variety of snacks foods in the house and you’ll be much better off. Research has shown the greater your options, the greater your appetite.

Don’t Be Left in the Dark
When you go out to dinner, sit in a well-lit part of the restaurant. That’s because when you’re eating in a well-lit area, you’re more likely to consume fewer calories. You are more self conscious and feel others can see what you’re eating, so you’re likely to curb your appetite accordingly. In a dim corner of the room… well, anything goes. 

Play Mind Games
Serve up your food on small plates and smaller food portions will look more volumous.  Be sure to keep your snacks out of sight at home and at work (out of sight, out of mind). Also, wear great smelling perfume or cologne and light scented candles when you have the opportunity. Interesting smells can often take your mind off of food.

-------------------------------------------------------

Check out Joy's new book.

 

219 Comments Report Abuse
1. advancedmediterraneandiet - Mar 28 10:14pm
Thanks for the well-lit restaurant trick, Joy. I had not heard that one before. Will try it.

Another tip that works for some of my patients is to drink a full glass (8 oz) of water right before meals, or a tsp of Metamucil in a glass of water before meals.

-Steve
Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog
2. tammylocklear - Mar 29 07:00am
Joy, I've disagreed, somewhat, on some of your other blogs, but this one is right on the money! I especially like the tip on sitting in a well lit part of the restaurant and also using small plates, and small portions.
3. riitacat16 - Mar 30 07:02pm
Simple, yet informative
4. beckymarsh50 - Apr 01 07:25am
Eat an apple or just a portion of an apple before a meal-very filling..
5. mattlax8 - Apr 02 07:39am
lmao people just stop eating and you'll get unfat
6. mattlax8 - Apr 02 07:39am
lmao people just stop eating and you'll get unfat
7. lessthanworthit - Apr 02 07:40am
The tip about eating in a well-lit area is very true. It's unconscious and you don't realize you'll pick at your food more so it doesn't seem like you eat a lot.
8. lessthanworthit - Apr 02 07:43am
The tip about eating in a well-lit area is very true. It's unconscious and you don't realize you'll pick at your food more so it doesn't seem like you eat a lot.
9. tiffabees - Apr 03 08:32am
Wait! I'm confused?! Isn't hunger your body’s way of telling you it's time to eat? So isn't it natural to eat when you get hungry? Why would you want to suppress that? This seems pretty unhealthy to me! I don't want to listen to the skinny doctor tell me how to be skinny like her! I think you should eat when you're hungry, that's how its supposed to work right?

tiffabee.wordpress.com
10. tiffabees - Apr 03 08:32am
Wait! I'm confused?! Isn't hunger your body’s way of telling you it's time to eat? So isn't it natural to eat when you get hungry? Why would you want to suppress that? This seems pretty unhealthy to me! I don't want to listen to the skinny doctor tell me how to be skinny like her! I think you should eat when you're hungry, that's how its supposed to work right?

tiffabee.wordpress.com
Leave your comments You must sign in to leave a comment
Yahoo!7 Answers

Health Questions with Yahoo!7 Answers