What Appetite Suppressants Really Work?

Suppressing hunger, whether with the aid of a commercial product or through natural measures, is one way to cut calories from your diet and work toward steady weight loss. Although some supplementary products make fairly tall claims on their packaging, they don't work for everyone, so you may find the most success through eating low-calorie, satiating foods.

Commercial Suppressants

Appetite suppressants sold at pharmacies and stores are classified as dietary supplements. According to public health expert Monica Zangwill, M.D., that means they aren't subject to the same Food and Drug Administration regulations as real foods. Thus, they may make product label or advertising claims that have not been backed by credible scientific research, and there's no guarantee that they will work for you.

Prescription Suppressants

Popular prescription-issued appetite suppressants include phentermine, phendimetrazine and diethylpropion. According to the Weight Control Information Network, those drugs are approved by the FDA and work by altering brain chemical balance to enhance feelings of fullness. They may be more likely to work than over-the-counter suppressants, but they are only approved for use by people who are at medical risk due to their weight.

Yogurt

While not technically an appetite suppressant, high-protein and low-fat or nonfat varieties of yogurt have powerful satiation properties that may contribute to keeping you full for hours and curbing your total calorie consumption. According to 2007 research published in the "International Journal of Obesity," subjects who ate yogurt daily over a six-week period felt markedly less hungry four hours after eating than subjects who consumed a placebo. In 2005 research published by the same journal, University of Tennessee nutrition professors also found that eating yogurt was associated with increased fat loss and a smaller waist circumference.

High-Fiber Foods

You may also experienced enhanced feelings of fullness after eating foods that are especially high in fiber. Such foods tend to have low levels of energy density, which means they have high fiber and water contents and low fat and calorie counts. According to MayoClinic.com, such foods are ideal for weight loss plans because they "mak[e] you feel fuller longer on fewer calories." Healthy examples are fresh or frozen berries, 100 percent whole wheat bread and brown rice.

Considerations

Before taking any over-the-counter appetite suppressant or making significant changes to your current eating plan, it's best to consult your doctor or a registered dietitian. Even prescription appetite suppressants can present health risks and side effects, including weight regain and addiction. Rather than taking drugs to promote weight loss, the National Institutes of Health recommends a safer approach of following a low-calorie diet plan and getting regular exercise to build up a calorie deficit.