Food is a funny thing. While you might eat it out of enjoyment, hunger or for a healthy lifestyle, it can have hugely diverse effects on your body, depending on its chemical makeup. Eating healthy foods might seem to be enough in order to get sufficient nutrition into your body but in fact, it pays to take serious attention even to the natural products you consume. These healthy foods might have a good reputation but they can leave you feeling even hungrier than before after eating. Surprisingly unsatisfying, these foods will have you reaching for the snack cupboard before you know it.
- Wholewheat Bread
While it might be a good source of fiber, whole wheat bread lacks the fats and proteins that will leave you feeling fuller for longer. What’s more, the fiber in the bread is more processed than other varieties out there, meaning you won’t get as healthy a serving of the stuff as you might have thought. To make your snack go further, try topping it with nut butter or avocado. The healthy fats will help to keep you feeling fuller for longer, stopping your snacking habits in their tracks.
- Fruit Juice
Fruit juices can help you to top up on your vitamin C, but don’t expect them to keep you going for a long time. While they are a good source of vitamins, fiber and minerals, juices are virtually void of fats and proteins, two products that are essential in order to keep you fuller for longer. Lacking in sheer bulk, fruit juices will only leave you feeling empty after you’ve finished drinking. To offset this, try eating an oat-topped yogurt or whipping up a veggie stir fry. You’ll get a whole lot more bang for your buck.
- Green Smoothies
While they are great for all sorts of things when it comes to health, green smoothies aren’t exactly the best item at keeping you full for a long time. Low in calories, protein and fats, the drinks have the same problems as fruit juices, lacking the amount of bulk you need in order to stay full. If you want to keep drinking green smoothies, try adding in more veggies, piling in the nut butter and sprinkling on a protein powder. You will feel so much more satisfied.
- Non Fat Milk
Getting adequate fat in your diet is actually an essential part of balanced health. When you opt for items that have cut out the fat, then, you get less of the substance and as a result, might end up feeling less satisfied. Opting for non fat milk will give you fewer calories but it might just have you eating more, regardless. The lack of fat will increase the breakdown of the sugar in the milk, burning off the energy faster. If you want to stay full, try eating some Greek yogurt. You will up your protein count and ultimately feel fuller.
- Whole Grain Crackers
Much like whole wheat bread, whole grain crackers will give you a hefty serving of fiber, but not much else. Piling on the carbs and cutting out the fats and proteins, the food will do little to contain your hunger, leading you to make less healthy choices in the aftermath. Add a little nut butter or hummus to yours to pad it out; you’ll feel all the more satisfied.