Magic Foods - Feeling Full on Fewer Calories

Obesity is a growing problem in today's world, and doctors warn that we need to lose the excess fat and weight in order to live long and healthy lives. There a few ways to do this, including cardiovascular exercise, lifting weights, dieting and changing your lifestyle. If you are doing all or several of these things but still are not losing weight very quickly or even at all, it can be easy to become discouraged. This combined with the will it takes to make these lifestyle changes in the first place can make you feel ready to give up. After all, exercise and dieting only make you hungrier, and most people don't have the willpower it takes to go hungry, especially if they're seeing little in the way of results.

There is a solution to this problem however, and believe it or not, the solution is actually eating! Of course, this doesn't mean that you can eat whatever you want; there are a few key foods that will help you to feel full faster, and in turn, help you to have the willpower you need to see your diet and lifestyle changes through. If you choose your foods carefully, all you have to do is avoid eating when you are not hungry… and that is a lot easier than not eating when you are hungry!

Below, you'll find a list of the many foods that will help to take the edge off your hunger without increasing your waistline.

• Grapes: All of the dieticians agree on one thing; if you are going to eat a lot of anything, make it fruits and vegetables. Grapes will fill you up very fast, and they contain vitamins that are necessary for your body. This fruit also contains no artificial sugars.

• Bananas: Many people find that this fruit is very filling and satisfying because of its sweetness and creamy, decadent texture. It is also full of vitamins. Don't eat too many, however, because bananas have more starch than other fruits, and eating too many can add to your weight.

• Carrots: This high-fiber vegetable is very filling and convenient to carry, especially now that you can go to the grocery store and buy them in a re-sealable bags. Crunchy and refreshing and perfect for snacking.

• Water: This is not technically a food, but drinking lots of water really fills you up, and it is good for your kidneys. Water is much more beneficial for your body than coffee, tea and juice. Drink a glass or two of water before every meal, and you will eat less at that meal. Effortless fullness.

• Frozen Drinks: Take a blender, some ice, frozen fruit, and natural juice and you've got yourself a fat-free, delicious, cold and refreshing drink that will fill you up. Most people think that a smoothie has to be made with yogurt or milk, but making them with juice or even water tastes just as good and cuts down on fat and calories. How refreshing.

• Oatmeal: Sugar-free oatmeal in the morning will keep you full until lunchtime. Oats are full of fiber and have been proven to be a great food for your heart. Try substituting the sugar with cinnamon, raisins or chopped fruit, and you will not miss the taste of the sugar.

• Fiber: We've left the most important for last. The reason why many of the above foods are filling is… fiber! Dietary fiber fills you up like nothing else. Look for whole wheat, bran, or other high-fiber foods. Buy foods with added fiber, and try out fiber supplements and powders. Feeling hungry? A big glass of fiber power and water will take the edge off while helping you keep slim.