7 Ways to Curb Your Appetite

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Hope you've had a great weekend. I certainly had an eventful one!

My husband's entire family came to visit, so I spent the weekend catching up on news and helping to feed people!

This morning I'm still full from an amazing dinner that my husband made for the whole clan: five-layer lasagna made with turkey sausage, triple-layer chocolate cake with a cheesecake & ganache filling and cheesy garlic bread. This, after appetizers of cheese and crackers and homemade maple-flavored smoked salmon made by my brother-in-law (under the direct supervision of his doctoral advisor who made him swear to secrecy!).

All of this is well & good, except that my favorite jeans are now way too tight!

The whole summer has been one of over indulgence while trying to trick my body into thinking that I'm still eating healthy! This hasn't worked, however, and so now I'm forced to explore ways to eat less. Hence, today's article: 7 Ways Reduce Your Appetite Naturally.

Summer indulgence (all those family dinners & barbecues!) is so common, that I think even ESL students can benefit from this article. After all, ESL students are people first and students second!

Thank you for reading and have a great week!

7 Ways to Curb Your Appetite

Summer means indulgence for many people, especially when it comes to food. There are more parties and free time, so people have more chances to eat their favorite foods. All this makes summer more fun, but it can also mean weight gain for some people. There is nothing wrong with gaining weight, unless you don't want to!

If you want to eat a little less at your next party, try these strategies.

1. Eat chicken breast!

Chicken breast is lean white meat, which will help you to feel full. Also, try eating a chicken breast half for breakfast. Studies show that eating an ounce of protein in the morning will reduce your appetite all day.

2. Eat your vegetables!

Vegetables take up space in your stomach. This will help you to feel full longer. Add some chicken breast or lean beef to your vegetables, if you can. This will help you to feel full for hours.

3. Take B12

Vitamin B12 reduces your appetite naturally, about 12 hours after you take it. Think about when you are most hungry. Then take vitamin B12 twelve hours before that. Remember to ask your doctor if it's alright for you to take B12!

4. Say “I don't”, not “I can't.”

Saying “I can't” makes you feel like you are victim. Instead, remind yourself that you are in control. If someone offers you food that you crave, but don't need, say “I don't eat that, thanks!” Other ways to say this are:

I don't eat a lot of sweets, but thank you.

Thank you, but I don't eat chips.

I don't really eat cake, but thanks.

Thanks, but I don't usually eat that.

No thank you. I don't usually have dessert.

Thank you, but I don't eat ice cream.

5. Use hot sauce.

Hot sauce and pepper contain capsaicin. Capsaicin is reduces your appetite and helps you to feel full faster.

6. Stay away from artificial sweeteners.

Diet foods often contain artificial sweeteners like Nutrasweet or Splenda. These sweeteners increase your appetite and make you want to eat more! Instead drink a cup of green tea or peppermint tea.

7. Have some lemon.

Add lemon juice to your salad or soup. Or, make yourself a drink of hot water squeezed with lemon, after dinner. This will help with digestion. The sourness of the lemon will also make you want to eat less!

Try these strategies to reduce your appetite today!

For more strategies, visit 42 Ways to Curb Your Cravings at http://www.nowloss.com/natural-ways-to-curb-your-cravings-without-appetite-suppressants-pills.htm .

QUESTIONS

1. What is meant by “free time”?

2. What is one way to help you to feel full?

3. If you feel hungry at 10 o'clock at night, what time should you take B12?

4. What is the difference between “I don't” and “I can't”?

5. How does pepper reduce appetite?

6. Why is Nutrasweet bad for you?

7. What is it about lemon that reduces appetite?

ACTIVITIES

* What are some things that you do to help you eat less?

* Why do you think so many people want to eat less or lose weight?

* What is a dish that you enjoy that is healthy? Describe it and tell how to make it.

* Many people are told by their doctors that they need to eat less or lose weight, but they don't listen. How do you feel about this? Why do you think this is so? 

* THINK & WRITE

Society often makes us feel that people who are thin are better than people who are fat. This message is sent in many ways. What are some ways that this is done? How do you feel about it?

Thank you for visiting!

Faiza Raintree