Appetite Suppressants And Meal Plans

If you're trying to lose weight and feel like you're always hungry, an appetite suppressant combined with changes in your meal plan might be what you need to start shedding the pounds. Many over-the-counter appetite suppressants can cause severe side effects and many of them aren't heavily researched. Talk to your health care provider about your weight loss goals to decide if an appetite suppressant is right for you or if simply altering your meal plan will provide you with the results you're looking for.

Appetite Suppressants

Over-the-counter diet pills and weight loss supplements often contain ingredients purported to suppress your appetite. If you're otherwise healthy, one of these supplements might give you the boost you need to control your portion sizes, but beware of side effects. Many appetite suppressant ingredients found in over-the-counter pills contain high levels of caffeine, which can lead to nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Others can lead to gastrointestinal problems or increase your risk of severe problems. For example, PPA, an appetite suppressant used in some over-the-counter products can increase your risk of stroke. Others, such as hoodia, haven't been thoroughly tested for their effectiveness and safety because over-the-counter supplements aren't subject to FDA approval.
If you're obese and feel that you truly need an appetite suppressant to help your weight-loss efforts, talk to your doctor about a prescription appetite suppressant. While prescription drugs aren't free of side effects, it's much safer to take an FDA-approved medication under your doctor's supervision.

Planning

Planning your meals and snacks in advance helps you avoid overeating or indulging in foods you shouldn't when you get hungry. If you're taking an appetite suppressant, discuss your meals and caloric needs with your health care provider to help you make wise choices and know when you should take your supplement or medication. Keep most of your meals and snacks healthy by focusing on fresh produce, lean meats and whole grains, but allow yourself an indulgence as an occasional treat to avoid feeling deprived. Sticking to a meal plan and limiting your portions to one serving at each meal helps you learn to control your appetite and turn to healthy snacks, such as a piece of fruit or raw vegetables, instead of gorging on treats or fatty foods.

Time Frame

When you choose to eat plays a large role in controlling your appetite. While you may think that eliminating snacks is the surest path to weight loss, eating three regular-sized meals a day isn't enough for most people to get a handle on their appetites. Plan times for healthy snacks between meals to satiate your hunger and prevent you from getting ravenously hungry later, which often leads to overeating. If you feel like your snacking is out of control, consider splitting your meals into four or five smaller meals throughout the day to maintain your energy levels and keep you satisfied, but don't neglect a healthy breakfast. Even eating something small shortly after you wake up can help you control your appetite the rest of the day.

Foods

Making healthy food choices can leave you feeling full longer and help you control your urge to snack or eat larger portions than you should. Foods that have a high water content, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are considered to have low energy density. This means you can eat larger portions without adding a lot of calories to your daily meal plan. Foods high in fiber, such as whole grains and fresh produce, also help you control your appetite because you can eat larger portions and these foods take longer to digest. Protein also helps you feel full and maintain your energy levels. Try to include at least a small serving of protein, such as an egg or a small portion of lean meat or poultry, to each meal.

Appetite Suppressants and Meal Plans