Healthy Foods That Can Fill You Up

A big complaint of dieters is that they are always hungry. It doesn’t have to be that way. To begin with, don’t diet. Instead, develop a plan to eat more mindfully. Start a notebook to track your emotions. Note the times you feel most compulsive, and the times you feel true physical hunger. Try to describe your hunger. Do you feel hungry in only one way? You may discover that certain sensations of hunger are actually emotional cravings.

Be sure you have a stocked kitchen or access to healthy foods to alleviate your physical hunger. Your first impulse may be to grab a candy bar or an energy bar. These foods are packed with unhealthy sugars and excessive calories, and will leave you craving more. Instead, pick foods that will really fill you up and satisfy your hunger for hours.

Add Nuts to Your Diet

One of the best foods for filling you up are nuts. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios and cashews are the healthiest nuts you can get, especially if they are raw or dry roasted. At 160 calories per ounce, almonds are the least caloric,and are great for lowering bad cholesterol. Walnuts offer heart healthy omega-3 fats. Nuts offer great nutrition in a compact package that may seemhigh in calories, but is trulyhealthier and more satisfying than any processed food. Havenuts every day, in small amounts. You’ll be surprised how full you’ll feel.

Oatmeal Fills You Up

Another great food to fill up on is oatmeal. Getwhole-grain rolled or steel cut oats. Instant oatmeal doesn’t have the great mouth feel, and premixed packets often have tons of sugar. The fibre in oats helps stabilize your blood cholesterol levels and lowers your risk of heart disease. Cook up a potonce a week, then put a portion in the microwave for an instant treat. Oatmeal is very filling and quite delicious, especially if you cook it with raisins, nuts and seeds.

Don’t Forget Avocados

Finally, consider adding avocados to your diet. Avocados are very satisfying, and containa healthy,monounsaturatedoil that does wonders for your body. The oil significantly increases your absorption of the lycopene and beta-carotene in your salad, and an avocado’s dark green pulp contains carotenoids, a natural anti-inflammatory. Besides being pretty and tasty, avocados help lower our risk of heart disease and provide a wonderful sense of fullness.