Natural Appetite Suppressants

When dealing with a possibility of a food addiction, the first question that should be addressed is to understand what a food addiction is and how to know if you have one. I feel that a food addiction is the compulsion to consume food whether aware or unaware at the time in a means other than for necessity. In other words: either consciously or subconsciously overeating; not for nourishment but for the simple fact to eat.

One day I was made aware of this discovery, which oddly enough occurred last month. I was eating my well-portioned lunch and was racing to finish it. Now, I was not in a hurry to leave, but I was in a hurry to finish it and move on to the next think I could eat. This, my friends, was my food addiction showing its ugly head. Luckily, I was able to slow down and finish my lunch without rushing through it and going for the next item I could grab.

If you experience this behavior, and I am not taking about a once in a blue moon kind of way (or if you have gone a very long time without food), you may have a food addiction. Fear not, there are natural ways to overcome it, and if you must keep eating, ways to naturally suppress your appetite so you will still give your brain the satisfaction of eating while keeping your caloric intake low.

Ok, so your mind tells you that you are hungry and you have tried everything to forget about that feeling to eat: you have gone out on a walk, chewed gum, removed yourself from the kitchen, or any other trick you can think of, but you still have that urge to eat. What do you do? This may sound a bit extreme, but for once, you can give in to it.

This time, you are going to eat some food that will give your brain that satisfaction of eating, but will have a lower caloric value, and due to their strong flavoring (should I say sour) will cause such a bitter taste in your mouth your brain will basically tell you "no more."

Here are some great examples of foods that are ok for dieters to eat and will help suppress your appetite:

Sliced kosher dill pickles - the circular chips, the more sour the better ( 5 pcs. approx. 15 cal.)

Squeezed lemon in water (no sugar or sugar substitute) - (calories depending on amt. used)

Cut lime wedges (cut like orange wedges, but very sour to suck on) - (minimal calories)

Black tea - a very strong tea, serve either cold or hot w/ no sugar or sugar substitute