How Can I Decrease My Appetite?

Your appetite can be triggered by both physiological factors such as chemicals in the brain as well as psychological factors including emotions and stress. An overactive appetite can result in potentially life-threatening heath complications. Finding ways to decrease your appetite will help you lower the risk of overeating, which can result in obesity and medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Curbing your appetite is also an important weight-loss strategy for those who are already overweight.

Instructions

• 1

  Add foods rich in fiber to your diet. High-fiber foods will keep you fuller longer than other foods, decreasing the risk of overeating, according to the Medline Plus website. For a high-fiber breakfast, eat a 100 percent bran cereal with fresh fruit, and for lunch eat a sandwich on whole-wheat bread with tomatoes and onions. Dinner can include a side of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots or green beans.

• 2

  Drink at least eight glasses or water a day to make your stomach feel full and to suppress your appetite. Drinking a cup of water before a meal will cause you to eat less, according to the Science Daily website. Try drinking a cup of tea between meals or when you feel hungry to curb your appetite.

• 3

  Sleep at least eight hours every night. While you sleep, your body produces the hormone leptin, which controls your appetite by telling the brain when the body needs food, according to CBS News. Sleep deprivation causes lower leptin levels, which increases an individual's appetite, according to the article "Sleep More, Eat Less" on the CBS News website.

• 4

  Avoid long periods of inactivity, which may encourage you to eat. Instead of sitting on the couch watching television, go shopping with friends, take a walk or exercise at your gym.

• 5

  Take an FDA-approved appetite suppressant. Many suppressants are available over-the-counter and contain natural ingredients. Appetite suppressants work by making your body think it is full by rising catecholamine and serotonin levels, which affect appetite, according to WebMD.