Do You Know the Number One Appetite Suppressant?

(Jayne Freeland - July 2009)

People search constantly on the internet looking for the very best appetite suppressant. You want to lose weight. You want to look great in that new dress or suit. So, maybe you’re looking for an appetite suppressant, like millions of other dieters, to help you control your cravings and lose weight.

Does the perfect appetite suppressant come in pill form or liquid? Neither, actually, but let’s go over your options in those departments first before I tell you about the number one appetite suppressant.

Pills

Doctors prescribe appetite suppressants, but are they safe? Do they work? No and not really. Stimulant appetite suppressants have numerous side effects ranging from the jitters and nausea to a rapid heart rate. They are addictive because you develop a tolerance to the drugs and will eventually have to increase the dose (via your physician’s advice ONLY). The worst part is if you are an emotional eater (and most of us are), you will probably eat regardless of whether you are physically hungry.

Liquid

Liquid appetite suppressants are available over the counter and on the internet. Hoodia gordonii is a popular natural appetite suppressant sometimes available in liquid form. This cactus grown in South Africa contains p57, which mimics glucose in the body. This works as an appetite suppressant because it fools the brain into thinking you have enough glucose thereby hindering the triggering mechanism for hunger (low blood sugar). For this reason, people who are diabetic or hypoglycaemic should not take hoodia without consulting their physician first. 

If you have normal blood sugar, hoodia may benefit you, especially if you’ve been consuming a diet high in refined carbohydrates. Your body may have become accustomed to high amounts of blood glucose thereby triggering hunger at higher than normal levels. You may even crave sweets. HOWEVER, hoodia is a very mild appetite suppressant and most people find it ineffective. And again, if you are an emotional or compulsive eater, it simply won’t help.

The NUMBER ONE Appetite Suppressant

YOU! Don’t worry. I’m not going to preach to you about willpower. It’s not about willpower. It’s about changing what you want. It’s about changing what you crave. So many of us make poor food choices or eat too much out of habit and pure instant gratification. We have poor body images and negative thoughts about ourselves that lead us to make poor choices. We look at junk food as “tasting good” and healthy foods as being boring or tasting badly. It’s something we’re supposed to do, not what we want to do.

When you reprogram your mind to think about healthy choices as being what you want, you become your own appetite suppressant. And all without the use of expensive prescriptions and supplements that carry dangerous side effects. You’ll be in control once and for all without spending another dime on dieting tools and gimmicks.

How do you accomplish this? Begin by associating healthful eating with positive actions. Use words like “I’m choosing this apple because I want to look great and feel great.” There are many ways you can begin to associate healthful lifestyle choices as being choices rather than punishments or “have-to’s.”

 Until next time,

Jayne Freeland

Personal Weight Loss Coach & Nutritionist