Eating well-balanced meals and snacks are both important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But whether it’s because you find yourself mindlessly snacking or because your meals aren’t keeping you as full as you’d like, sometimes you need something to keep you from rummaging through the pantry. Instead of popping pills that’ll supposedly curb hunger, turn to something surprising: food. It sounds contradictory, but eating can actually suppress your appetite as long as you choose the right foods. Try one of these extra-satisfying eats to keep your appetite in check.
HUMMUS
Beans are an awesome source of fibre and chickpeas are no exception. Store-bought hummus has about 2.7 grams of fibre in a three-tablespoon serving. Just be careful about what you’re dipping into your hummus: Pitas made with white flour won’t be as filling as whole grain ones!
EGGS
There’s a reason people are clucking about eggs lately. Eggs are a perfect combination of protein and fat, so they’re more satisfying than other breakfast foods. Worried about cholesterol? Don’t be. Despite the high content in yolks, eggs aren’t the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol. If you’re still concerned, try liquid egg whites, which also contain protein and can stave off hunger.
OATMEAL
Avoid 10 a.m. cravings by giving your breakfast a fibre boost- Quaker Instant Oatmeal (the unflavoured type) has four grams of fibre per packet. As an added bonus, oatmeal contains soluble fibre, which contributes to keeping cholesterol levels in check, and insoluble fibre, which helps you feel satisfied.
PISTACHIOS
Sure, nuts are all pretty healthy, but they’re not all created equal. Pistachios are one of the lowest-calorie and lowest-fat nuts out there that make you feel fuller longer! A 1-ounce serving equals 48 pistachios, while 28 peanuts or 22 almonds set you back the same number of calories. That’s a swap we’ll gladly make. You’ll also get heart-healthy benefits by switching to pistachios- Almost all of the fat found in pistachios are heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which when consumed in combination with a healthy diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.
CHIA SEEDS
These tiny nutrition powerhouses contain about 10 grams of fibre per two tablespoons and are an excellent source of important omega-3 fatty acids. They are also a good source of essential nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. In addition, chia seeds have hydrophilic properties. This allows them to swell into a gel when combined with liquid. The combination of high fibre (which digests more slowly in the GI tract and keeps blood sugar levels stable) and the hydrophilic properties (which result in them expanding in the stomach to give the feeling of fullness) make this a top-pick food to keep you full. Try them on yogurt, soups, baked goods, in smoothies, or make your own chia gel.
SOUPS
Forget those canned variations. Homemade soup featuring plenty of veggies not only make a hearty meal option, but it will also leave you feeling full- no MSG, cream or salt-laden soups, but rather vegetable quinoa, chicken or spinach leek and white bean. Soup has a high water content, which will fill you up and curb your appetite. Always making soup at home, so you can add fresh, healthier ingredients.
APPLES
An apple makes an ideal morning or afternoon snack; the fruit is a great source of fibre to keep you feeling full, and its high water content helps fill your belly as well. Apples also contain pectin, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes that spur hunger.