Natural Ways to Curb Your Appetite and Keep You Slim and Healthy

Our bodies have a natural attraction to things: beautiful scenery, the fragrant scent of flowers, a gorgeous face and body. But more often than not, people will have an attraction of food. Individuals may have varied appetites, but in common they would have an attraction to sweet food.

Our sweet cravings can be attributed to the presence of sugar and other carbohydrates, which stimulates the release of serotonin, the brain chemical that gives the feeling of satisfaction. However, when it's overdone, it can lead to unsatisfying results. Excessive sugar intake can convert into fat which can add weight to your body.

So, how do you reduce your cravings for sugar and other foods that can make you fat? How can you keep yourself slim and healthy? Check out these natural and safe ways to help you curb your appetite.

1) Know what triggers your appetite. Is it your stress at work or school? Is it because you're too happy or too sad? Is it because you get a trigger from a particular kind of food? If you are able to know what triggers your cravings, you are more than ready to take the next step.

2) Don't give in to your cravings! If you feel a certain kind of food is triggering your appetite, and eating them makes you feel bad, throw them away.

3) Eat some nuts! Healthy nuts like peanuts, almonds, pecans and cashews can be a great snack in between meals. Nuts were shown to reduce the feeling of hunger, but it takes in effect after an hour, so watch how much nuts you have eaten.

4) Reach around for fruits. Fruits like apples, oranges, pineapples and grapes not only have natural sugars on them, but you can also get fiber and nutrients from them. Try to bring fresh fruits instead of the sugary stuff.

5) Have soup on your every meal. Studies from the Pennsylvania State University have shown a bowl of chicken soup served before lunch significantly makes one feel fuller. These can help them consume 100 calories less than having only eaten the main course. Choose broth-based soups over cream-based soups. You may add chunks of vegetables, bits of meats or noodles into the soup to make you feel fuller longer.

6) Do a walk when the sugar rush hits you. When a craving for sweets has hit you, do yourself a favor to walk around the place to let the thought not get into your mind. It also helps you stimulate your body for a little exercise. You can also do breathing and stretching exercises that promote relaxation so you don't get anxious for not satisfying your sweet cravings.

7) Quench your appetite with coffee. The caffeine in coffee doesn't only perk you up, but can also save calories by stimulating your appetite. Just reduce the amount of cream and sugar on it, or simply go have a cup of black brewed coffee.

8) Have regular oral hygiene. Brush your teeth, and rinse with mouthwash. It keeps you less thinking of ruining your minty fresh breath.

9) Get a kick of fiber with oatmeal! Oatmeal, with its filling thick texture, is rich in beta-glucan, a kind of soluble dietary fiber that helps flush out excesses from your digestive tract. Soluble fiber also lowers cholesterol levels for a healthy heart.

10) As always, don't forget to live an active lifestyle to keep your energy levels up.