What is a safe remedy to curb your appetite?

People fighting weight problems and obesity usually try to follow a diet and control their appetite. While it is a good idea to reduce the number of calories consumed, it should be done in a safe and healthy manner so that your body is not affected adversely by an imbalance or lack in essential minerals, nutrients and vitamins caused by a reduction in food intake. Consume regular meals, never skip breakfast and stick to routine so that your hormone levels are kept steady and chances of hunger pangs are reduced. If you feel hungry between meals, snack on a fruit instead of fast food and avoid all fatty, greasy and sugary snacks. Ensure that your meals are high on unrefined fibre and protein since they make you feel full and thus curb your appetite. Eat slowly so that your brain has enough time to register your satiety levels and you eat lesser.

It is crucial to get exercise and find sources of pleasure other than food to curb your appetite. If you tend to binge on food as an emotional outlet, find other alternatives such as listening to music, indulging in some hobby, going out or simply talking to friends. Also avoid being near food unless it is time for a meal so that you cut down on unnecessary between meal snacks. Finally ensure that your body gets enough rest since lack of sleep and rest disrupts hormone levels, which in turn leads to increase in appetite.

answered by G M

There are no safe ways to artificially reduce the appetite. Several over the counter drugs are available, but they all have a variety of side effects that include addition and a negative impact on the cardiovascular system. It is therefore best to avoid these drugs, and if you really feel you need to use them, do so only after consulting a doctor, particularly if you already suffer from some medical problems.

Most people want to suppress their appetite so that they can reduce their food intake and thus lose weight. In most cases however, drugs are not necessary in order to lose weight. What is needed is focus and self discipline. You need to make changes in your diet and your lifestyle. As far as your diet goes, it is important to reduce your intake of fats and simple carbohydrates, while increasing intake of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Make sure that you are drinking enough water daily. You can even sip water during meals - this is not exactly an appetite suppressant, but it will leave less space for food. You should also avoid eating till you feel "full", as there is a slight delay between having eaten enough food and the body signaling that it is full, which often results in overeating. Finally, it is absolutely essential that you exercise for at least half an hour daily.

answered by G R