11 Foods to Tame Your Wild Appetite

In the Western world, we’re not very good at being hungry. Our environment is so overwhelmed with fatty, sugary, colorful and exciting foods that scientists are saying if you were to go on autopilot, it would be next to impossible to NOT become obese. An insatiable appetite has become the norm, but there are some foods to tame your wild appetite that you can easily integrate into your diet.

But the environment aside, some people are just more inclined to suffer from an insatiable appetite, and these people are often referred to as constant cravers. You may notice some kids from a very early age are fixated on food and mealtimes. As adults, it’s those same people who are eating breakfast and thinking about what they’re going to eat for a morning snack. This is not to mention dieters who have voluntarily reduced portions or removed entire food groups and still feel that constant pit in their stomach.

The Insatiable Appetite: What can we do? Can you take your wild appetite?

Being hungry can be very difficult to manage but including these foods into meals and snacks may just help tame a wild appetite:

Protein Powder

Protein keeps us feeling fuller, longer. Add a super-high quality pea or whey protein powder like Nuzest Clean Lean Protein to a meal or snack to boost or supplement missing protein (think oats made with water or a fruit smoothie not made with milk or yogurt).

Dill Pickles & Fermented Veggies

Not only are they totally delicious and so great for gut health, but pickled and fermented veggies have a large water bulk, so you can eat quite a lot of them and really fill up with very few calories.

Green Apples

Another food that is full of water, apples also contain a specific type of fiber that helps keep us full, as well as pectin, which has been shown to help reduce blood sugar spikes and this means no energy crashes afterwards. They’re also sweet, crunchy and satisfying, making them the perfect afternoon snack.

Soups

Particularly vegetable soups have liquid contents that make for a very filling meal. And by using a variety of different veggies, it’s a delicious way to get in a few daily servings while still fulfilling that insatiable appetite.

Eggs

Almost daily, my patients tell me how much more satisfied they are throughout the morning when they’ve had eggs for breakfast. The awesome combination of fats from the yolk and complete protein from the whites make these little gems the perfect food to feel fuller for longer periods of time. Note: If you have high cholesterol, you can still have up to 6 eggs per week.

Low Fat Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt, in particular, is strained longer, so it’s higher in whey protein. It is also more thick and creamy, making it feel like a real treat as well as being highly satisfying. Flavor plain Greek yogurt with cinnamon, vanilla extract, berries, a teaspoon of cacao powder or a few drops of stevia concentrate.

Brassica Veggies

These include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts. Not only will these guys help prevent some cancers, but they are jam-packed full of fiber. One cup gives you 6-7 grams of fiber, a quarter of your daily fiber needs. Fiber with fluid swells in the gut, making us feel full after a meal.

Lentils & Legumes

So dense with nutrients, these inexpensive beans contain the trio of fiber, complex carbohydrates and protein, making them the perfect food for appetite management. Don’t despair if they upset your tummy, you can build up your tolerance to them by starting with small amounts and slowly increasing it.

Water

Very often, we think we’re hungry when we are in fact just thirsty. Keep up your water intake, as well as herbal teas and sparkling water to make sure you’re well-hydrated. Do not confuse hunger signals with thirst and fill the volume in your tummy.

Salad

A large serving of salad before a meal is a great filler that will not only help to bulk out the size of a meal, but it will help to make you fuller, faster. Also, it’s what you can go back to for seconds if you’re still hungry after your meal.

Skinless Chicken Breast

With virtually no fat, skinless chicken breast is a protein powerhouse providing us with a full range of complete proteins. They help to slow down the release of carbohydrates into our bloodstreams, so couple your chicken with some brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potato or add it to a whole grain sandwich for a super satisfying meal.