Did you know that the stomach has a hungry hormone? Whenever the stomach is empty, it begins to secrete a hormone called the ghrelin that sends out hunger signals to the brain. This leads to those cravings and hunger pangs that cause you to reach out for that bag of potato chips when you shouldn't, according to Yahoo Health.
Fortunately, there is a way to stop the ghrelin (Yes, it makes us think of a belly Gremlin too!) from "blackmailing" the brain into believing it's craving food. It doesn't involve anything more than eating the right kinds of food that help suppress the appetite.
1. Boiled Potatoes
Potatoes are notorious for their carbohydrate content, but they are not "nearly as bad as their reputation," according to Yahoo Health. Resist frying or buttering the potatoes, but instead, boil these and then make yourself a potato salad, which you can keep cold in the fridge. Cooling the potatoes will make the starch harder to break down in the stomach, thus, delaying cravings and hunger pangs.
2. Coffee
Drinking coffee in moderate amounts will give your body a metabolism boost. The caffeine also works to suppress appetite and clear the body out with the antioxidants properties. Keep coffee-drinking healthier by not putting too much sugar and cream into your drink, according to Shape.
3. Eggs
This protein-rich breakfast favorite is effective at driving out hunger pangs, as a previous study has shown. "Eating a breakfast rich in protein significantly improves appetite control and may help women to avoid overeating later in the day," according to Kevin C. Maki of the Biofortis Clinical Research, via Science Daily.
4. Red Apples
Either as a morning breakfast fare or as an afternoon snack, the apple is good source of fiber and water that will keep your stomach feeling full. For those suffering from high blood sugar, apple has pectin that keeps blood sugar from spiking, according to Women's Health.
5. Almonds
Almonds contain unsaturated fat, fiber and protein, but are low in carbohydrates. Eating at least 1.5 ounces of almonds daily will help eliminate food cravings, and snacking on almonds is also a good option for those trying to watch their weight as it doesn't pack on the pounds despite the calories, according to a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
