How can you avoid hunger pains during a diet?

There are several strategies you can use to avoid hunger pains during a diet:

 

1. Avoid eating sweet foods. Sweet foods raise your blood sugar quickly. This causes a spike in insulin which lowers blood glucose, but usually by too much, causing hunger pains

 

❌ White bread, jam, orange juice and tea with sugar are examples of food that will spike insulin and lead to hunger pains 2-3 hours after eating. eating.
✅ Low impact on blood glucose, wont lead to hunger pains 2-3 hours after eating.

2. Black coffee and Green tea are known appetite suppressants. Green tea contains caffeine and catechins, which can help reduce appetite and increase metabolism.  Avoid these drinks after 3pm and do not have more than 4 cups per day. Caffeine can disturb sleep and increase blood pressure. After you have finished dieting it is a good idea to reduce your intake to 1 cup per day of either. 

 

3. Eat more protein: Protein is known to help keep you feeling full for longer, so aim to include a source of protein in every meal and snack.


4. Eat more fiber: Fiber can also help keep you feeling full, so make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. 


5. Drink plenty of water: Sometimes hunger is actually thirst in disguise, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.


6. Choose filling, low-calorie foods: Foods that are high in volume but low in calories, such as vegetables and broth-based soups, can help fill you up without adding a lot of calories.

 

7. Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can increase hunger and cravings, so make sure you're getting enough quality sleep each night.

 

8. Be mindful of your hunger cues: Learn to recognize the difference between true hunger and cravings or emotional eating, and only eat when you're truly hungry.

 

9. Sugar free gum: If you are finding it tough to hold off eating until the next meal, sugar free gum can help. The act of chewing something can be partially satisfying and it won't lead to a spike in your blood glucose. Sugar free doesnt mean calorie free, so don't eat it in huge quantities. 

 

Remember that some hunger is normal when you're on a diet, but with these strategies, you can help minimize hunger pains and stick to your weight loss goals.