Natural Appetite Suppressants
When it comes to weight loss and diets, many want to get on the bandwagon! And many are at a loss as to which weight loss concept suits them best. What about natural appetite suppressants? Many “natural diet pills” and supplements promise great results. Some profess to speed up your metabolism, others boast to burn fat, and still others declare that you will not feel hungry.
Here
is a quick look at some of the most popular natural appetite suppressants.
- Supplements: substances that are added to a regular diet in order to supply the body with additional benefits and to curb the appetite.
- Hoodia Gordinii is a plant that closely resembles a cactus and grows in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. For centuries, this plant has been used as a potent natural appetite suppressant by the African Bushmen, who discovered that if they ate a small piece of hoodia gordinii before a long hunting trip, it would stifle their hunger. You cannot find this plant in its raw form anywhere else in the world, but you can purchase capsules containing hoodia gordinii; however, the plant is often blended with other ingredients. While they may be convenient, they are also very expensive. See more on Hoodia Gordinii.
- Whey protein has been used by dieters for years as a natural appetite suppressant. It promotes muscle growth, which is a crucial factor in losing weight because developing muscle burns fat. It is inexpensive, and sold in powder form in a variety of flavors. You can make a shake with it, or add it to smoothies and other nutritional foods.
Superfoods: a term given to foods that have now become popular due to their health benefits, and their potentiality to act as natural appetite suppressants.
-
The
Acai berry is a new food that has recently come to the attention
of many health-conscious individuals. It is a small, round, dark purple
berry, resembling a small grape, with a small amount of pulp around
a large seed. In the Amazon rain forest where it grows, the habitants
eat the skin and the pulp, but not the seed, which has no nutritional
value; nevertheless, the Amazonians grind it to feed their animals,
or use it to make necklaces. The berry contains vitamins, minerals,
and antioxidants. It builds muscle and increases energy levels. Quite
amazing that it is so healthy since only 10% of the berry is edible.
Acai berries can be bought fresh, frozen, or dried. You can cook them
and sprinkle them on foods such as salads, cereal, and desserts. They
are also sold as a liquid extract and in pill or powder form, but be
certain that you are buying the real thing! - Flax seeds contain 8 grams of fiber per ounce; the more fiber you eat the fuller you feel. These small, golden seeds act as an antioxidant and are a rich source of omega-3 fats. They lower cholesterol levels and increase metabolism, thereby promoting weight loss. Ground flax seeds can be added to your favorite recipes, or eaten whole to add crunch and flavor to your meals. The recommended dosage is 3 tbsp daily.
- Green leafy vegetables are now on the list of super foods because all green vegetables are high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals. They are not considered a natural appetite suppressant but they do play an important role in weight maintenance. They offer few or no calories and the body must burn a certain amount of calories in order to digest them.
- Water consumption is now trendy – also cheap, easy to get, and quick to fill you up; so it works as a natural appetite suppressant. Cannot get more natural than water.
We all know the ideal way to lose weight is to take in less calories and exercise regularly. However, we don’t want to feel hunger, we don’t want to exercise, we don’t want to prepare special foods, and we want to lose more than 1 or 2 pounds per week. We seek out a quick fix but the reality is that we must adhere to the basics if we want to get rid of the extra pounds and keep them off. Nonetheless, adding natural appetite suppressants to your food intake can help you fight the battle of the bulge.
Written by: Carol C. is an registered nurse with experience in many areas of nursing who specializes in mental health and addictions. Her articles allow her the opportunity to share her knowledge and expertise on many health subjects.