Do you eat when you're actually hungry, or when you're bored? Do you tend to stop as soon as you're satiated, or keep eating until your plate is clean? Your own body and emotional state will serve as a better guide than a calorie count.

Notice whether you tend to eat more in response to stress, anxiety, or nervousness, and think about strategies to avoid overeating when those moods strike.

Hide snack foods—or better yet, don't buy them. People joke about the "see food" diet—you see it, you eat it. But it's not really a joke.

You do tend to eat more snack foods if you see them lying around. If you have snack foods, put them in the back of a drawer, where you won't be tempted by the sight of them. Serve in the kitchen. To discourage second helpings, pre-serve your portions onto each plate in the kitchen rather than bringing serving bowls to the dining table.

Keeping the remaining food off the table makes it less likely you'll reach for more. Don't multitask. Keep meals free of distractions: don't drive, watch TV, read, check email, or engage in another activity while eating.

All of these can result in mindless eating. Instead, find a quiet spot and just sit down and eat. Multi-tasking while eating makes it easy to consume more food without even realizing it—while you're reading or working on the computer, for example.

In contrast, mindful eating—paying attention to what you're eating, while savoring the flavors, aromas, and texture of your food—can help you enjoy your meals more and eat less.

That goes for snacks, too. If you're eating on your feet, you're not paying attention to your food. Learn to distinguish hunger from cravings. Next time your body is calling out for chocolate or chips, ask yourself if you're truly hungry.

Physical hunger has a variety of indicators, including fatigue, lightheadedness, or an emptiness you feel in the pit of your stomach. A craving is more likely to be a sense of discomfort or agitation in your mouth or your head. Hunger disappears with any food you eat, while a craving is satisfied only by the particular food you're longing for.

If you've recently eaten—and especially if the urge is for a specific comfort food like ice cream—it's more likely to be a craving. If so, try distracting yourself. Go for a walk, call a friend, or put on some music and dance around the house.

Most cravings go away in 15 or 20 minutes. Hunger doesn't. It only gets stronger. Pace yourself. It's standard advice to chew slowly, so that you'll feel full after eating less food than if you ate quickly.

Eating slowly doesn't always work, but when it does, the reason has as much to do with the brain as with the gut. Scientists have known for some time that the fullness of your stomach is only part of what makes you feel satisfied after a meal; the brain must also receive a series of signals from digestive hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract.

The complex signals that control appetite are only partially understood, but by eating too quickly, you might not give this intricate hormonal cross-talk system enough time to work.

To learn how to create week-by-week action plans, and to get our weight control tips and recipes, buy the 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating , a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: © millann Getty Images. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. In a study , taking glucomannan supplements as part of a reduced-calorie diet led to significant weight loss compared with a placebo. Doses of 2 to 4 grams were found to be well-tolerated, but start with 1 gram and work your way up.

Not all trans fats are bad for you! Conjugated linoleic acid CLA is a natural trans fat found in meat and dairy. This fatty acid is commonly used as a weight loss supplement. In a small study , participants who took 3. Taking CLA, particularly in large doses , has some potential side effects, such as digestive issues, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress.

Ginger is a great way to add flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, including cookies, curries, and soups. The zesty rhizome, whose roots grow underground, is also popular in tea form.

Ginger is known to stimulate the digestive system and help ease nausea. Who else flies with a bag of Gin-Gins candy in their carry-on? But did you know ginger could also help regulate your appetite?

One small study found that men who consumed ginger at breakfast felt more full and had less appetite 3 hours later than those who had not consumed it. That study used 2 grams of dried ginger powder dissolved in hot water as a tea. Ginger is considered safe with no known side effects as a tea, capsule, or tincture or in whole food form.

Garcinia cambogia , also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a tropical fruit from India and Southeast Asia. The rind is used to flavor curries and also contains hydroxycitric acid, which has been studied for its effectiveness on weight loss and appetite.

The results have been mixed: Some studies found that it reduced appetite, blocked production of fat, and lowered body weight, while others deemed it ineffective. So, it might work for some people but not others. Side effects like headaches, rashes, and stomach discomfort have been reported, but Garcinia cambogia is believed to be safe in doses of up to 2, milligrams per day.

Research shows drinking coffee before a meal can help with stomach emptying, influence hormones that control appetite, and reduce feelings of hunger. Drinking a moderate amount of coffee may also help you eat less throughout the day and at your next meal. Keep in mind that different coffee drinks have varying amounts of caffeine.

Caffeine also has many side effects, including the potential for restlessness, anxiety, heart palpitations, and disrupted sleep. Yerba mate is a plant native to South America that contains caffeine. The herb is known for boosting metabolism and aiding weight loss. In one small study , women who took 2 grams of yerba mate before cycling for a half-hour had less of an appetite and increased metabolism, focus, and energy levels.

Yerba mate is safe in recommended doses of up to 3 cups of tea or 1 to 1. However, some compounds in yerba mate have been found to have monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI activity. Like your food spicy? Well, enjoying your food with a kick could help your appetite and metabolism.

Capsaicin, the active component in cayenne pepper, can rev up your metabolism and tame your appetite. Capsaicin is believed to decrease production of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. In a small study , some participants took 0.

Those taking the capsaicin capsules ate 10 percent less than those who took a placebo, and those who drank the spicy tomato juice ate 16 percent less. Both groups who took capsaicin felt fuller and ate less.

You can simply add hot pepper to your food to reap the benefits or take it as a supplement. Cayenne does come with some side effects, including irritation if it touches your skin, and can act as a natural blood thinner.

In theory, this may help keep you feeling full longer. Cinnamon may also help regulate blood sugar maybe even preventing sugar cravings and boost satiety. But remember to talk to a healthcare provider or dietitian before making any major changes to your diet, including trying new supplements.

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Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD , Nutrition — By Stepfanie Romine on February 6, Share on Pinterest.

Dark chocolate. Green tea extract. Caralluma fimbriata. Garcinia cambogia. Yerba mate. The bottom line. Was this helpful? Acheson KJ, et al. Metabolic effects of caffeine in humans: Lipid oxidation or futile cycling? To evaluate efficacy and safety of Caralluma fimbriata in overweight and obese patients: A randomized, single blinded, placebo control trial.

A pilot study investigating the effect of Caralluma fimbriata extract on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese subjects: A randomised controlled clinical trial. Effects of sweetness perception and caloric value of a preload on short term intake. Pros and cons of CLA consumption: An insight from clinical evidences.

Experiences with three different fiber supplements in weight reduction. Beneficial effects of green tea—a review. Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.

Beverages containing soluble fiber, caffeine, and green tea catechins suppress hunger and lead to less energy consumption at the next meal.

On the other hand, another review found that introducing extra fiber into the diet was effective in less than half of the studies they looked at. More research is needed to identify which sources of fiber are the most effective for suppressing appetite. A review based on 20 different studies found that appetite hormones are suppressed immediately after exercise, especially high-intensity workouts.

Research shows that a tea called Yerba Maté, which comes from the Ilex paraguariensis plant, can reduce appetite and improve mood when combined with high-intensity exercise.

Yerba Maté is available for purchase online. Dark chocolate has been shown to suppresses appetite compared to milk chocolate. One study showed that people ate less during their next meal after snacking on dark instead of milk chocolate.

Consuming a small amount of ginger powder has been shown to reduce appetite and increase fullness , possibly because of its stimulating effect on the digestive system. This was a small-scale study, so more research is needed to confirm this effect.

Ginger powder is available for purchase online. Reducing general food intake while dieting can leave people with a ravenous appetite. This can cause a relapse into binge eating. However, dieting does not have to mean going hungry.

Some foods are high in non-caloric nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and water but remain relatively low in calories. These include vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains.

Eating a large volume of these foods will stop the stomach from growling and still allow a person to burn more calories than they consume. Comfort eating due to stress , anger, or sadness is different from physical hunger. Research has linked stress with an increased desire to eat, binge eating, and eating non-nutritious food.

Mindfulness practices and mindful eating may reduce stress-related binge eating and comfort eating, according to one review. Regular sleep, social contact, and time spent relaxing can also help tackle stress.

The brain is a major player in deciding what and when a person eats. If a person pays attention to the food they are eating instead of watching TV during a meal, they may consume less.

Research published in the journal Appetite found that eating a huge meal in the dark led people to consume 36 percent more. Paying attention to food during meals can help a person reduce overeating. Another article showed that mindfulness might reduce binge eating and comfort eating, which are two significant factors that influence obesity.

The National Institute of Health recommend using mind and body-based techniques, such as meditation and yoga , to curb appetite. If a person wants to suppress their appetite, they can try drinking water, tea, or coffee. Chewing gum may also help. A key aspect of feeling full is eating balanced meals high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

This will prevent someone from getting hungry again quickly. If a person is fasting, they can try drinking water, going for a walk, or doing a meditation. Keeping oneself busy and distracted can also help.

Restricting food consumption too much can lead to a relapse of overeating. Instead, eating a good amount of the right foods can reduce hunger and food cravings throughout the day. A person can suppress their appetite by including more protein, fat, and fiber in their meals.

Stocking up on vegetables and pulses can make a person feel fuller for longer. It might also help to try different spices, such as ginger and cayenne pepper, and drink tea to beat unwanted food cravings.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Ten natural ways to suppress appetite. The keto diet is a high-fat, very low-carb diet that puts your body into the metabolic state called ketosis.

Once in ketosis, you burn fat for energy instead of sugar. When in ketosis, many people report that they experience a drop in their appetite , especially for sugary foods and refined carbs.

The keto diet can be combined with intermittent fasting for even more help with weight control and managing food intake. Emphasize healthy fats in your diet, which are just as crucial for feeling full and staying satisfied as fiber and protein are.

At the same time, avoid sugar and most carbs other than non-starchy vegetables. To help regulate your appetite hormones and train your body when to expect to eat, try to have meals at the same times every day if you can.

Eat until satisfied, but not stuffed, to the point that you can skip snacks. Aim for balanced meals that will do the best job of turning off hunger. Consider stopping eating at least two to three hours before going to sleep, which helps support general metabolic health.

Try to eat about every three to five hours depending on your schedule and exact diet. Related: 7 Natural Fat Burners that Work.

Is there a pill that curbs your appetite? While some formulas can help dull hunger, most are unsafe and can cause side effects. Commercially sold diet pills usually contain a mix of stimulants, including caffeine, herbs, and sometimes digestive enzymes or acids.

Generally, they come with adverse reactions, such as anxiety and indigestion, making them a risky way to shed extra weight. Some of the main reasons that appetite-suppressing weight loss products are considered to be at least somewhat dangerous include:.

However, too much caffeine within a short time period can cause strong side effects, such as:. Due to interactions with medications or changes in blood pressure, other side effects of popular weight loss pills can include:. Some commercially available thermogenic supplements especially those containing ephedrine, also called ephedra have even been found to induce acute liver failure and contribute to serious reactions like excessive bleeding, increased pressure in the brain, fatigue, malaise and jaundice.

This is one reason why ephedrine is now banned as a dietary supplement ingredient in the U. What else will suppress your appetite naturally?

Here are some natural appetite suppressant tips:. Follow dosage directions carefully, as high doses can possibly cause dangerous reactions like poisoning, yellow appearance of the skin or mucous membranes, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and heart problems.

If you have any of the below health conditions, talk to a professional before attempting to suppress your appetite for weight loss especially if you take medications daily :. Popular Posts All Time This Week {position} Detox Your Liver: A 6-Step Liver Cleanse.

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Supplementing long term may even cause serious complications, such as liver damage and increased inflammation 5 , 6. Summary CLA is a dietary supplement branded as an appetite reducer. However, human studies have shown that CLA has little impact on appetite and weight loss.

Bitter orange is a type of orange that contains synephrine, a compound that may be effective in reducing appetite. Synephrine is structurally similar to the once-popular weight loss drug ephedrine, which has been banned from use in dietary supplements since due to serious side effects 7.

Bitter orange supplements are marketed to promote weight loss by reducing appetite and are available over the counter. How it works: Bitter orange is believed to encourage weight loss by increasing your basal metabolic rate — or calories burned at rest — therein stimulating fat breakdown and suppressing appetite 8.

Effectiveness: Though research has shown that synephrine increases the numbers of calories burned, its effect on weight loss is inconclusive 9. A review of 23 studies found that 20—35 mg of synephrine per day increased metabolic rate and had a modest impact on weight loss.

However, some of the studies resulted in no weight loss or even weight gain after treatment with synephrine Side effects: Reported side effects of synephrine include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and anxiety.

Summary Bitter orange contains a compound called synephrine that may boost metabolism and encourage weight loss. However, research shows mixed results. Made with an extract derived from the peel of the Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit, garcinia cambogia pills are used to suppress appetite and promote weight loss.

How it works: Garcinia cambogia extract contains hydroxycitric acid HCA , which may reduce appetite by increasing serotonin levels in your brain and reducing the metabolism of carbohydrates Effectiveness: A review of 12 studies found that participants who supplemented with garcinia cambogia containing 1,—2, mg of HCA per day for 2—12 weeks lost an average of 1.

Another study in 28 people demonstrated that garcinia cambogia was more effective at reducing appetite, increasing fullness and decreasing hunger than a placebo However, other studies have shown that garcinia cambogia has little to no effect on appetite or weight loss Side effects: Though generally considered safe, consuming garcinia cambogia may lead to side effects in some people, such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, irritability and even liver failure in extreme cases Summary Some research shows that garcinia cambogia suppresses appetite and promotes weight loss.

Glucomannan is a type of soluble fiber derived from the edible roots of the konjac plant. How it works: Glucomannan is understood to encourage weight loss by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, slowing digestion and blocking the absorption of fat and protein A review of six studies found that 1.

However, researchers concluded that the results were not statistically significant and that larger and longer-term studies are needed Side effects: Glucomannan may cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal discomfort Summary Glucomannan is a type of soluble fiber that may promote short-term weight loss.

However, results from studies are inconclusive. Hoodia gordonii is a type of succulent plant traditionally used by indigenous people in southern Africa as an appetite suppressant. Extracts from Hoodia gordonii are used in dietary supplements that claim to reduce appetite and boost weight loss.

How it works: Though the mechanism by which Hoodia gordonii suppresses hunger is unknown, some scientists link it to a compound called P57, or glycoside, which may impact your central nervous system and decrease appetite Effectiveness: There is little evidence to support the use of Hoodia gordonii to promote weight loss, and few human studies have examined the plant.

A day study in 49 overweight women found that 2. Side effects: Hoodia gordonii may lead to headaches, nausea, increased heart rate, high blood pressure and impaired liver function Summary Currently, no evidence supports the use of Hoodia gordonii for weight loss or reduced appetite.

Green coffee bean extract is a substance derived from the raw seeds of the coffee plant and is popularly used as a weight loss supplement. How it works: Green coffee beans contain high levels of chlorogenic acid, which may inhibit fat accumulation. The extract also contains caffeine , which decreases appetite Effectiveness: A recent study in people with metabolic syndrome showed that those taking mg of green coffee bean extract per day experienced a significant decrease in waist circumference and appetite compared to a placebo group An analysis of three studies found that overweight participants who took either or mg per day of green coffee extract for up to 12 weeks experienced an average weight loss of 6 pounds 2.

Side effects: Though green coffee bean extract is generally well tolerated, it may cause headaches and increased heart rate in some people. Summary Several research studies have demonstrated that green coffee bean extract may reduce appetite and promote weight loss.

The guarana plant has been used for hundreds of years for various purposes, including appetite suppression How it works: Guarana contains more caffeine than any other plant in the world. Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and has been shown to decrease appetite and boost metabolism Effectiveness: Insufficient evidence exists to support the use of guarana to suppress appetite and promote weight loss.

However, test-tube and animal studies show that guarana extract may boost metabolism and limit fat cell production by suppressing certain genes Side effects: Because guarana is high in caffeine, it may cause insomnia, headaches, nervousness and increased heart rate and anxiety, especially when taken in high doses Summary Guarana — which is especially high in caffeine — may boost metabolism, but more research is needed to determine whether it suppresses appetite or promotes weight loss.

Acacia fiber, also known as gum arabic, is a type of indigestible fiber promoted as a means of suppressing appetite and promoting fullness. How it works: Acacia fiber slows digestion, suppresses appetite, increases fullness and inhibits glucose absorption in your gut, which can all help manage weight Effectiveness: One six-week study in women found that those taking 30 grams of acacia fiber per day lost significantly more body fat than those on a placebo Similarly, a study in 92 people with diabetes showed that 30 grams of acacia fiber daily for three months significantly reduced belly fat Side effects: Potential side effects of consuming acacia fiber include gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Summary Acacia fiber may encourage weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and suppressing appetite. Saffron extract is a substance derived from the stigma — or the female part of flowers where pollen is collected — of the saffron flower. How it works: Saffron extract is believed to contain several substances that may increase feelings of fullness by boosting mood.

Effectiveness: One study in 60 overweight women demonstrated that those taking mg of saffron extract per day experienced a significant reduction in snacking and lost more weight than women on a placebo pill Side effects: Saffron extract is generally well tolerated but may cause dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, anxiety, nausea and headache in some people Summary Some evidence supports the use of saffron extract as a way to reduce hunger and lose weight.

Guar gum is a type of fiber derived from the Indian cluster bean, or Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. How it works: Guar gum acts as a bulking agent in your gut. It suppresses appetite by slowing digestion and increasing feelings of fullness Other studies demonstrate similar results, indicating that guar gum may be effective in reducing cravings and overall calorie intake However, guar gum has not been proven as an effective tool for weight loss Side effects: Guar gum may cause adverse side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, cramping, gas and bloating Summary Guar gum is a type of fiber that may be effective in reducing snacking between meals and decreasing overall calorie intake.

Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? You may have good intentions to limit your portions, but what happens when your appetite or cravings kick in?

Your appetite is influenced by more than hunger. It's also influenced by the sight of food, the ambience of the room, and what the people around you are eating. That's why it's important to pay attention to external cues that tend to trigger overeating—for example, the size of your dinner plates.

It's also helpful to pay attention to your body's internal cues. Do you eat when you're actually hungry, or when you're bored? Do you tend to stop as soon as you're satiated, or keep eating until your plate is clean?

Your own body and emotional state will serve as a better guide than a calorie count. Notice whether you tend to eat more in response to stress, anxiety, or nervousness, and think about strategies to avoid overeating when those moods strike.

Hide snack foods—or better yet, don't buy them. People joke about the "see food" diet—you see it, you eat it. But it's not really a joke. You do tend to eat more snack foods if you see them lying around.

If you have snack foods, put them in the back of a drawer, where you won't be tempted by the sight of them. Serve in the kitchen. To discourage second helpings, pre-serve your portions onto each plate in the kitchen rather than bringing serving bowls to the dining table. Keeping the remaining food off the table makes it less likely you'll reach for more.

Don't multitask. Keep meals free of distractions: don't drive, watch TV, read, check email, or engage in another activity while eating. All of these can result in mindless eating.

Instead, find a quiet spot and just sit down and eat. Multi-tasking while eating makes it easy to consume more food without even realizing it—while you're reading or working on the computer, for example. In contrast, mindful eating—paying attention to what you're eating, while savoring the flavors, aromas, and texture of your food—can help you enjoy your meals more and eat less.

That goes for snacks, too. If you're eating on your feet, you're not paying attention to your food. Learn to distinguish hunger from cravings. Next time your body is calling out for chocolate or chips, ask yourself if you're truly hungry. Physical hunger has a variety of indicators, including fatigue, lightheadedness, or an emptiness you feel in the pit of your stomach.

A craving is more likely to be a sense of discomfort or agitation in your mouth or your head. Hunger disappears with any food you eat, while a craving is satisfied only by the particular food you're longing for. If you've recently eaten—and especially if the urge is for a specific comfort food like ice cream—it's more likely to be a craving.

If so, try distracting yourself. Go for a walk, call a friend, or put on some music and dance around the house. Most cravings go away in 15 or 20 minutes.

Hunger doesn't. It only gets stronger. Pace yourself. It's standard advice to chew slowly, so that you'll feel full after eating less food than if you ate quickly. Eating slowly doesn't always work, but when it does, the reason has as much to do with the brain as with the gut.