What types of foods can I eat while on a diet so I 'm not always hungry?

Question

I eat lots of "light" foods and eat a litle here and there every few hours , but I'm always hungry. Light foods don't calm my hunger. Any suggestions...?

Answer 1

fish, salads, fruit, turkey. ice milk, yogurt, and water

Answer 2

When you speak of "light" foods, I suspect you are talking about carbohydrates. All fruits, vegetables, breads, pastas, and sweets are carbohydrates. All carbohydrates break down during digestion to become glucose, which is the simplest sugar.
Glucose can be transfered from your digestive tract to your blood, and then to your cells to be used for energy.

There are 3 things that cause a person to feel hungry. One is an empty stomach, the 2nd is low blood glucose (low blood sugar), and the 3rd is habit.

Let me start with habit. If you are used to eating a certain amount of food at a time and a certain amount during the day you will feel hungry if you eat less - even if you are eating enough. It takes time for your body to get used to the new amounts.

Low blood glucose, is what I suspect you are dealing with. Everything you eat takes time to be broken down (digested) into substances that your body can use. All foods can be broken down to glucose and enter your blood but different foods take longer to be broken down (digested) than others. Protein and fat take the longest to be broken down to glucose.

Carbohydrates digest into glucose the fastest; the more complex the carbohydrate is, the longer it takes for it to be digested. Whole grain foods take the longest to digest into glucose and it is a gradual process. That means that glucose enters your bloodstream more slowly and it takes a longer time to feel hungry again.

Fruits are generally digested faster than vegetables because they have simpler sugars, that's why they taste sweet. Thats why veggys are better to snack on than fruit but you need some fruit every day.

For all of the reasons I've talked about, a slice of fat free sliced trukey along with a veggy for a snack will be more satisfying and and you will be less hungry, longer. If you eat 3 meals a day, each containing some protein, a small amount of fat, and a vegetable or whole grain food; that are all within the calorie limits of your diet, you will feel more satisfied and will not need to snack as aften.

If you eat a bread that is labeled "whole grain", or "whole wheat", you have to be careful. Most contain mostly white flour with a small amount of whole grain flour. I only eat Brownberry Natural Wheat bread because It is only made with whole wheat flour.

I know this has been much more that you asked for but I believe that the more knowledge on a subject a person has, the better decisions they can make. Just one last thing, for me, to stay at a weight that I want or to lose weight, I have to accept that I will be a little hungry most of the time. I hope that something I've said has been helpful. I almost forgot. The more regular exercise you get, the more you can eat and still lose weight.

Answer 3

I found that going vegetarian helped me a lot. I found that just cutting out meat, which is high in fat helped me to lose weight. If that isn't an option and you're just looking for foods that fill you up more, try snacking on apples with fat free caramel sauce in between meals, or bananas, or any kind of fruit or vegetables. At actual meal times, make sure you're getting protein and carbohydrates in. A good meal that is still light but very filling would consist of 2-3 ounces of meat (about the size and thickness of a deck of cards), 8 ounce glass of milk, half cup of cooked vegetable, medium peach, apple, plum, pear... etc. (about the size of a tennis ball) and a slice of bread with "I can't believe its not butter." Fat Free. The best way to "cheat" on your diet though and not gain weight is to allow yourself to eat if you feel hungry but choose veges and fruits.

Answer 4

HI good luck with modifying your eating habits. I have been working on adding low GI foods or wholefoods which I find keep you fuller for longer. There are heaps of books around on GI subject any bookstore should carry them. I find that eating healthfully of low GI foods rather than feeling deprived and hungry prevents me heading to a risky pattern of relying on your (often weak) willpower.
So in short I aim for
two pieces of fruit a day,
at least 5 serves of veges (a serve is medium potato, or 1/2 cup cooked veges),
one serve of a protein (about the size of your palm), or one egg, fish is the best choice here
two dairy serves equates to one cup low fat milk and small tub yoghurt, or a finger size piece of cheese.
and 5 serves of bread or cereal or grains the more whole food the better in this group, rolled oats, brown or basmati rice, wholegrain pasta and multigrain or sourdough bread.

Fill up to satisfaction at your three main meals and add in a fruit based snack if hungry in between.
Oh and of course ensure you are drinking at least 6 cups of water/ sugar free fluids in the day, you may feel 'hungry' when you are thirsty.
I have been loving making a breakfast smoothie with a piece of fruit, 1/2 cup skim milk, some high fibre bran cereal, tub low fat yoghurt blend it up and enjoy!

Answer 5

Oats.

As grampa always said: oats stick to yer ribs!

Oats are rich in fiber and stay in the digestive system longer. If you feel full, you will be able to comply with your diet better. You can put different fruits in it for a variety of flavors.

Also please drink plenty of water. Perhaps you are thirsty, not hungry.

All the best to you.

Answer 6

Go with low-cal cereal because you'll think you ate something naughty - crunchy and filling.

Answer 7

try eating something small and light like rice cakes. you can also try gum. it will distract you hunger. you can try salads. us dressing. that will fill you up.

Answer 8

Veggies. Peas and carrots work well for me.