The Wonder Foods that Curb Your Cravings!

List of wonder foods that stop food cravings!

Appease your appetite with 26% Fewer Calories! Ordering a bow of vegetable soup or sipping a V8 about 20 minutes before your main course can cut one-fourth of the calories you consume in a sitting, according to research at Penn State University.

As the liquid is being digested, it activates the stomach's stretch receptors, which send 'I feel satisfied' signals to your brain, explains study author Barbara Rolls, Ph.D. They're also 'suspension' liquids, which means the bits of vegetables and protein suspended within take more time to digest, causing you to feel full longer, says Rolls. Next time a hearty feast is in your future, keep your calories in check without having to count a single one by ordering a premeal Bloody Mary.

Nix a blue-mood Binge! Savoring foods rich in tryptophan (an amino acid the body can't produce on its own) when sadness strikes can circumvent blues-induced overeating or emotional eating. A depressed state is linked to low levels of the mood-regulating hormone serotonin, explains Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic (Avery).

But since tryptophan kick-starts the body's production of serotonin, enjoying a treat that's packed with the amino acid can pick you up and squelch your urge to splurge. For an indulgent source of this nutrient, sink your spoon into a luscious banana split or savor a slice of pecan pie.

Conquer a Sweet Tooth! Sugar cravings occur when the body's pH level becomes too acidic, says Robert O. Young, Ph.D., author of The pH Miracle (Warner Books).

But snacking on alkaline veggies restores pH balance, creating an unfriendly environment for the yeast cells that thrive on sugar and activate junk food cravings, says Young. So when your sweet tooth acts up, dip into chunky salsa for a figure-friendly fiesta.

Outsmart Menstrual Munchies! Spooning up a bowl of steamy cream of broccoli soup or oatmeal is a powerful way to tackle PMS-related cravings. During your period, elevated estrogen levels trigger the monthly need to nosh, says Joanne Slavin, Ph.D., a nutrition professor at the University of Minnesota at St. Paul.

But high-fiber foods like broccoli, oats and brown rice mop up excess estrogen compounds, much like they bind to cholesterol, she says. Bonus: Eat just 14 grams of filling fiber (the amount in one pear) and you'll enjoy a 10% reduction in caloric intake- effortlessly.

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