Sometimes it's salt, sometimes sugar. Sometimes it's boredom, sometimes habit. Whatever your fancy and reason for snacking, one thing is certain: Cravings and a raging appetite can seriously mess up your diet.
Luckily, the urge to eat can be suppressed—by eating! Here are 10 healthy foods that suppress your appetite:
Oatmeal
A hearty bowl of rolled oats is full of fiber and guaranteed to "stick to your ribs," keeping you feeling full longer. It's especially good if you have a busy morning and won't have time for a healthy snack before lunch.
Mint
Even the smell of mint can calm your urge to eat. So the next time you're about to find something to eat mindlessly, think about lighting a mint candle or having a cup of mint tea instead.
Spices
Add a little cayenne pepper to your meal and you'll rev up your metabolism and stay fuller longer by eating spicy food.
Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away—as well as your cravings. Apples are full of fiber and water, which fill up your belly.
Nuts
The next time you're craving something salty, grab a handful of almonds, which come complete with the appetite-regulating hormone called cholecystokinin.
Edamame
These salty little beauties are full of protein and low in calories.
Eggs
You can't beat a hard-boiled egg or two for a quick and protein-packed snack on the run. Just watch out for the yoke, which is high in cholesterol.
Yogurt
Not only will a cup of low- or non-fat yogurt keep you feeling full for a long time, but it's full of protein, which makes it the perfect after-workout snack.
Coffee
Believe it or not, a cup of coffee has been shown to be an effective short-term appetite suppressant.
Lemons
When you're craving something sweet, try dropping a few lemon slices into a glass of ice-cold water. Studies have shown that eating (or drinking) something sour can fight off the cravings for sugar.
