Three foods that can curb your appetite

December 1, 8:48 PMNY Women's Health ExaminerAmy Capetta

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A bowl of oatmeal can fight off the munchies. (free-stock-photos.com)

Tell the truth: Has there ever been a time when you couldn’t stop obsessing about the plate of plastic-wrapped brownies that are sitting on your kitchen counter? And no matter how hard you try to divert your attention from the dessert that you swear is calling your name, you keep finding yourself hovering over that plate?

Don’t beat yourself up for being so “weak.” For the most part, you can chalk it up to having a big appetite. (Hey, you could have worse things, right?) Aside from taking some over-the-counter pill that may claim to decrease your appetite, the good news is that one very effective way to curb your appetite is by…eating. I wish I could tell you that the best way to curb your craving for brownies is to chow down on a handful of cookies…not the case. But the next time you have the urge to grab for a box of fudge, head for the vending machine or eat a second lunch just one hour after lunch number one, try snacking on one of these three foods which should turn off the appetite switch!

Oatmeal: According to a clinical trial conducted at the Canadian Center of Functional Medicine, all participating subjects who ate a soluble fiber, like oatmeal (not instant), reported a drop in appetite, as well as experienced weight loss. For an added boost, add a handful of either strawberries or blueberries to this breakfast or snack—two fruits that fall under the “soluble fiber” category, so it’s like getting a double-dose of this appetite squasher!

Apples: Looks like an apple a day will keep the appetite at bay! Apples are chock-full of soluble fiber, a type of food that has been proven to suppress cravings. This juicy, red fruit also contains natural sugars, which has the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels in the body. The end result: A major dip in cravings, especially for carbohydrates like crackers, bread and pasta.

Almonds: This nut contains phenylalanine, an essential amino acid, which then signals the release of the intestinal hormone, cholecystokinin (CCK). It’s this hormone that’s responsible for slowing down digestion and telling the brain that your tummy is satisfied, even though you’re only snacking. A handful of two of almonds should do the trick, but be patient—it can take up to 20 minutes for your appetite to decrease.