Lowest Calorie Foods That'll Fill You Up

But there are ways to pacify that grumbling stomach of yours. The secret? Find foods that will fill you up with little caloric overhead. Here are seven of the best:

1. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH EDAMAME

Trendy, and for good reason. The exotic-sounding edamame is nothing more than fresh green soybeans, and there may be no healthier bean on the planet. With just 120 calories, one-half cup contains a whopping 9 grams of fiber (that's like four slices of whole wheat bread, without the carbs) and 11 grams of protein. So you know it's going to fill you up. And the health benefits of soy are undisputed.

Touted by Kelly Ripa on TV, you can buy edamame frozen in any supermarket. Some brands come ready-to-eat, so just defrost. Otherwise, boil some up as needed. To eat, just squeeze the beans from the pods right into your mouth. (The pods themselves are not edible - don't try it!)

CALORIES in EDAMAME: 120 in 1/2 cup of edamame beans (minus pods)

2. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH SOUP

It's true. Just kick off your lunch and dinner with a hearty bowl of soup, and when the entree hits the table, you may just lose your standing in the clean-plate club. But don't take my word for it. A study by Penn State has shown that dieters who preceded their lunch with a first course of soup consumed a full 20 percent fewer calories for the entire meal compared to when they ate just their lunch alone.

Even more beneficial, the study participants retained that full sensation for hours, having no desire to compensate for those "lost" calories later on at dinner time.

CALORIES in SOUP: between 80 (vegetable) and 300 (creamed)

3. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH UNPROCESSED WHEAT BRAN

You're already aware that it's good for your digestion. But did you know that unprocessed wheat bran can do wonders for your weight-loss regime, as well? According to the Mayo Clinic, every 30-40 grams of fiber ingested will generally block the absorption of about 100 calories a day. But there's more to it than that. Unprocessed wheat bran is an insoluble fiber. That means it's not digested by the body, and therefore will not add one iota to your caloric intake. What it WILL do is expand in your stomach, giving you that sought-after feeling of fullness.

The calorie-free way to take your bran: just mix up a tablespoonful in a glass of water, stir it well and drink it fast.

CALORIES in UNPROCESSED WHEAT BRAN: ZERO, as far as you're concerned

4. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH OATMEAL

Pitched for years as "stick-to-your-ribs", a comforting bowl of oatmeal will stick to your stomach, as well. A recent study by the Rippe Lifestyle Institute found that oatmeal can be a valuable component of any weight loss plan. In addition to lowering cholesterol, oatmeal will keep you feeling full for hours.

Why not up the clout, and mix in some unprocessed bran for good measure?

CALORIES in OATMEAL: 147 in 8 ounces of plain cooked oatmeal.

5. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH ALMONDS

Pure protein, and available for your convenience in 100-calorie packs, you may be surprised at how filling almonds can be. It's possible to eat nothing else for lunch and feel full until dinner. The trick is to eat them one at a time, and chew each one thoroughly. The International Journal of Obesity reported that dieters who ate 3 oz. of almonds each day were more successful in losing weight than those in a control group. In addition, since almonds are high in alpha-linolenic acid, they will speed up your fat metabolism as well.

You'll feel even more satisfied if you wash down your almonds with a cup of green tea, seltzer or carbonated water. It's hard to believe, but you might feel full for hours.

CALORIES in ALMONDS: about 6-7 apiece

6. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH ORANGES

Eat an orange, and reap the rewards. Besides being loaded with fiber (to fill you up), oranges are packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene. A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the many anti-oxidants in oranges are specifically helpful in dealing with that stubborn belly fat. Peel the orange as close to the rind as possible, leaving lots of beneficial pulp. then snack on the slices. And always eat the whole fruit. It's a lot less fattening than the juice.

CALORIES in ORANGES: between 45 and 86

7. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL FULL WITH SELTZER

Sometimes, when you think you're hungry, you're really just thirsty. So reach for a can of seltzer or flavored, carbonated water. Zero calories here, and the bubbles will fill you up fast. Drink away!

CALORIES in SELTZER: ZERO

BOTTOM LINE FOR WEIGHT LOSS:

Don't allow hunger to put the kibosh on your weight-loss plans. Let these filling, low-calorie foods come to the rescue, and watch that weight come off.