Always Hungry? Guide: Appetite Suppressant, Piller, Ingredients

Do you feel like you’re constantly hungry? Always grabbing for a snack, even when your last meal was not too long ago? Do you wish there was a way to suppress your appetite so that you didn’t feel like snacking all the time?

Guess what? There is! If you’re trying to reach a healthy BMI but are constantly feeling hungry, you can try an appetite suppressant to reduce hunger. In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and outs of appetite suppressants, including:

• What appetite suppressants are
• What appetite suppressants can do for you
• Who should – and should not – take appetite suppressants

Get ready to quit that snacking! Here’s everything you need to know about appetite suppressant supplements.

1. What are appetite suppressants?

In short, appetite suppressants are exactly what they sound like. They’re supplements that may come in liquid, powder or pill form that help keep you feeling satisfied and less hungry. And they’re not always artificial, either! Sometimes appetite suppressants are just foods that you can add to your daily menu. We’ll talk about all of these in this guide.

Before you consider adding an appetite suppressant to your daily routine, we strongly recommend that you speak to your physician. There are several reasons for this, including:

• Your daily caloric needs may vary – an appetite suppressant may prevent you from getting the nutrition you need
• Appetite suppressants may interfere with existing medications
• Appetite suppressant pills can impact your existing health conditions in an adverse way
• Appetite suppressants may reduce your hunger in an unhealthy way

To make a long story simple, appetite suppressants aren’t for everyone! Talk to your doctor or dietician before you begin taking a pill that will reduce your hunger. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

2. How do appetite suppressants work?

As we mentioned, appetite suppressants may work in a number of ways. Generally speaking, most pills designed to reduce hunger will “trick” your brain into thinking you’re full, or that you don’t want those carbs, and so on. This happens because the suppressants impact hormones and other chemicals in your body.

When appetite suppressants change your hormonal balance, new signals are sent to your brain. These signals may be, “I’m not hungry!” or may be something like, “Those sugary foods don’t look appealing.” One of the more common ways appetite suppressants work is by regulating the serotonin in your body. Serotonin is responsible for your appetite, your mood, your sleep and a few other functions.

In addition to appetite suppressants that regulate your hormones, there are supplements that will simply make you feel full. Fiber is a great example of this. Natural dietary fiber (which can be found in the foods you eat) expands in your belly. Fiber is slow to digest, meaning you’ll fee full and satisfied for longer.

Supplements like fiber are some of the best ways to naturally reduce hunger. They’re safe to use, can help improve your gut health and have little to no negative side effect.

So, to put it in a nutshell appetite suppressants:

• May alter your hormones, causing you to quit craving foods
• May work by expanding in your stomach and making you fee full
• Can be natural or synthetic, so talk to your doctor about which is right for you!

3. Who can benefit from appetite suppressants?

Who can benefit from an appetite suppressant? Almost anyone! If you’re trying to lose weight, appetite suppressants can be a great tool for you to add to your healthy diet. Of course, you’ll need to eat right and get the recommended amount of exercise. But, obviously, consuming fewer calories will certainly help you lose weight!

There are certain people who should not use an appetite suppressant, though. These people include:

• Pregnant women
• Men and women with a history of eating disorders
• Men and women who are at risk of malnourishment
• Children, when not under the direct care of a pediatrician

There are others, of course, so be sure you chat with your doc before you begin taking an appetite suppressant. That said, there are thousands of people who can definitely benefit from these supplements! Here’s a sampling of the people who may find appetite suppressants a great addition to their routine.

Elderly people

Let’s face it – as we get older, it’s harder to keep that BMI in check. That’s why elderly people and seniors may benefit from taking an appetite suppressant. Appetite suppressants can help you lose weight, even if you don’t lose as quickly as you used to!

Talk to your doctor about which weight loss pills and appetite suppressants are best for you. Remember that, as you get older, it’s essential that you get a full range of nutrients, including fats, calcium and essential minerals to bone and joint health. Always review supplements with your doctor before you begin to add them to your daily routine.

Weight Lifters

If you lift weights regularly, there’s no mistake – you get hungry! In fact, many serious weight lifters subsist on a diet of protein and fibers like broccoli and other whole foods. There’s no doubt you’re going to crave carbs every now and then.

Appetite suppressants can help you if you’re a weight lifter who’s serious about your sport. There are some natural ways you can keep your appetite and your cravings to a minimum. For instance, simply drinking water or eating protein-rich foods like eggs can help you feel full throughout the day.

But if you need a little extra assistance in curbing those carb attacks, look to an appetite suppressant. Weight lifters use pills and supplements to suppress appetite and reduce hunger as a part of a healthy exercise routine.

Men and women who lift weights swear by tried and true appetite suppressants. Caffeine, protein powder and 5-HTP are some of the favorites used by bodybuilders, whether competitive or for pleasure.

People Who Hate to Diet

There are some people out there who just do not care for dieting. And sometimes, that’s for good reason! We always say that the easiest way to get your BMI to a healthy range is by following a healthy nutritional plan and incorporating plenty of exercise into your daily routine.

But there are those out there who like to torture themselves by counting calories. It’s true that you should always consume fewer calories than you expend if you want to lose weight. But you don’t necessarily have to be super strict about it. Instead, you can simply eat a good variety of healthy and whole foods, and be sure you’re getting physical activity.

Whether you’re a calorie counter or someone who would simply rather not, taking a supplement to suppress appetite may give you the extra little boost you need to lose weight in a way that’s not frustrating to you. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about the best supplements to suit your needs and reduce hunger.

People with Upcoming Events

Maybe you want to slay in that swimsuit this summer, or maybe your wedding is just a few months away. In any case, an appetite suppressant is a great way to reduce hunger, reduce your BMI and get you to your goal weight in time for your big event.

If you decide that an appetite suppressant is right for you, remember that weight loss and a healthy BMI requires a lifestyle change. So, while your supplement may help you reach your goal weight in the short run, it’s always best to adopt holistic changes in your life to ensure that you stay healthy.

Don’t rely on your appetite suppressant to keep the weight off. Remember that these pills aren’t miracles – they’re going to require that you put in effort to reach and maintain a healthy BMI and overall wellbeing.

Anyone Who Needs a Boost

If you find that you’re always snacking, or just want to get a leg up on your weight loss, talk to your doctor about beginning an appetite suppressant. You can reduce hunger and get to your ideal BMI safely when you take these supplements under the guidance of a doctor. Just remember:

• Appetite suppressants aren’t miracle pills
• You’ll have to put in some work!
• Be sure to talk to your doctor, as some suppressants may interfere with medications
• You shouldn’t take appetite suppressants if you’re pregnant or have a history of eating disorder

4. Best appetite suppressant contents: what works?

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe! You can find pills and appetite suppressants on the market that are categorically unsafe. In fact, there have been “natural” supplements banned from shelves because of the deaths they’ve caused!

But, with that said, most people would prefer to look to natural ways to reduce hunger before trying chemical or prescription pills. There are a few ways you can reduce hunger without relying on potentially harmful chemical concoctions. Here are the best of the best.

Protein

The cool thing about protein is that you don’t need to drink it to get the effects! As a matter of fact, having lean meats like chicken and turkey or a few eggs can provide the same effect as a protein shake … without the sugar!

Most protein shakes you’ll find in stores are absolutely loaded with either a) sugar or b) artificial sweeteners. Why would you put all that extra stuff in your body when you can reduce hunger naturally, just by eating protein?

If you do feel you must have a supplement, look for powders and other supplements that have as few sweeteners and additives as possible. You can find “plain” protein supplements in stores that are unflavored and can simply be added to your veggie juice or even to a soup. Stay away from the supplements that have high amounts of calories and sugars – no one needs that mess in their bodies!

Water

Yep, you read that right. Simply drinking more water is one of the most filling appetite suppressants you can find! Studies show that by staying hydrated, and by drinking a glass of water before each meal, you can eat less at meal times and be less likely to snack.

People who drink water before meals will see, on average, a 75 calorie less intake at mealtime. Scientists and doctors recommend that you drink about 16 ounces of water a half hour before you sit down to eat. Then, feel free to sip water while you enjoy your meal with your family or friends.

In addition to its ability to reduce hunger, water is essential to your digestion and the functionality of your organs. You’ll better be able to pass foods through your system and your heart, brain, joints and skin will be healthier when you drink water, so bottoms up!

Fiber

If there were a miracle substance for appetite suppression and weight loss, it would be fiber. We’ve stressed before, of course, that there’s no real “miracle.” But fiber sure does come close. As a matter of fact, it’s not just an effective appetite suppressant. Fiber can also:

• Help regulate your blood sugar
• Help reduce cravings for sugars and starches
• Help keep your heart healthy
• Help regulate the good bacteria in your gut
• Lower your blood pressure
• Improve your body’s response to insulin

Taking (or eating) fiber is a good way to reduce hunger, as the material expands in your stomach. It’s then very slowly digested, which means you stay feeling fuller for longer.

If you only add one supplement to your daily routine, make it fiber.

Yerba mate

Yerba mate is an appetite suppressant that comes from a plant in the holly family. The naturally caffeinated leaves of the yerba mate plant have been used for centuries to help reduce hunger, achieve a healthy BMI and live a healthier lifestyle.

Because it’s an herbal product, there haven’t been too many studies done on yerba mate’s efficacy. That said, many people have had success using this plant as a part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s thought that the reason for the weight loss is due to the slow emptying of the gastric system. In other words, people who take yerba mate may stay fuller longer.

Because yerba mate is caffeinated, it’s important that you talk to your doctor before you take this supplement. If you have a history of heart disease or any other health condition, it may be unsafe for you to take this appetite suppressant.

Ginger

Another natural appetite suppressant you can easily find on store shelves – or in your spice cabinet – is ginger! Ginger has a great reputation for helping people lose weight – it stimulates the metabolism and it also helps curb cravings, particularly for carbohydrates and sugars.

Ginger has one setback: it can cause heartburn! So while some people may be able to simply flavor their food with ginger, others may find it necessary to take dried ginger capsules as their appetite suppressant.

As with other herbal remedies, extensive medical studies have not been done on ginger. However, the root has been used for centuries as:

• A treatment for the common cold
• A treatment for nausea
• An anti-inflammatory
• A treatment for osteoarthritis pain
• A regulator for blood sugar and blood pressure
• A weight loss aid to reduce hunger

For all intents and purposes, ginger is safe! Do check with your doctor to be sure the root won’t interfere with medications. For instance, if you’re taking anticoagulants, you should not take ginger. But if your doctor gives you the all clear, why not give ginger a try?

5. Training methods to suppress your appetite

Did you know that you don’t need appetite suppressants to help you reduce hunger and reach an ideal BMI? You sure don’t! While these supplements may be helpful in the short term, it will likely be more effective for you to develop a long term and sustainable solution to hunger management and weight loss.

When you’re low on calories and nutrients, your body will signal to you that you’re hungry. You’ll pick up a meal, a snack or just a drink of water, and you’ll feel sated. So what about when your body signals to you that you’re hungry … but you’re not low on nutrients or calories? These “false alarms” can be caused by any number of factors, including:

• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Habit (you’re used to snacking on your commute, etc)
• Alcohol consumption
• Dehydration
• Social cues
• Stress and anxiety
• Dozens of other reasons

Now, some of these cues are easier to deal with than others. For instance, if you’re snacking because you’ve had 4 beers, it’s time to put the bottles down. Those beer calories aren’t good for you, anyway! But other reasons you may feel hungry or “snacky” may not be ask easy to handle at first.

Let’s say, for instance, that you and your spouse end each night watching the evening news and snacking on ice cream or pretzels. It’s going to be a hard habit to break! It may seem nearly impossible if your spouse isn’t on board with lifestyle changes, too.

You can do it. Sit down with a notebook and figure out when you’re doing your snacking or overeating. Then determine why. Are you tired? Dehydrated? Stressed out by the kids, or by work? Are you snacking or overeating because others are?

All this to say that we program our brains to eat at certain times and in certain situations. An appetite suppressant can temporarily help you to remedy snacking and overeating, but it’s the long-term lifestyle changes that are going to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy BMI for good.

6. The best appetite suppressant foods you can eat

Losing weight is hard! After all, you can’t just stop eating “cold turkey.” Your body needs food, and it’s up to you to choose the right foods in the right amounts. The choices you make may mean the difference between your long term success and your weight loss failure.

With that in mind, there are quite a few foods you can eat that can help you reduce hunger, stay feeling full and improve your overall BMI and health. You can choose which of these foods you like the best, and consider adding them to your daily dietary plan.

Spices

There are quite a few spices that will help reduce hunger and act as appetite suppressants. These include:

• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom
• Fennel seeds
• Cumin
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Turmeric

This is by no means a complete list, but these flavorful additions will certainly get you started on your way to spicy weight loss!

Peppermint

Peppermint is a super easy-to-grow plant that you can harvest right on your windowsill. Peppermint tea has long been known to:

• Improve skin health
• Make you feel full
• Reduce nausea
• Reduce heartburn
• Help you sleep

Not a tea drinker? That’s okay! You can just chew on a sprig of peppermint throughout the day. The added bonus is that your breath will smell great!

Apples

Of all the fruits, apples are some of the tastiest and most filling ones out there. The average apple has over 4 grams of fiber, and each medium apple only has 95 calories. So when you want a sweet, tasty treat, reach for an apple!

The cool thing about apples is that they taste so darn good with cinnamon! Make sure, though, that you’re eating whole apples, with the peel. You won’t get as much fiber from a peeled apple, from applesauce or from juice or cider.

Legumes

Legumes are a great way to keep your appetite curbed throughout the day. Many are a great source of vegetarian protein, too, so you can feel good about eating legumes if you don’t like your meat to have a face.

Legumes include a broad range of treats, including lentils, green peas, pinto beans, lima beans, peanuts and even soybeans. You can find most of these at your local grocery store – we recommend you pick some up on your next trip.

Beans and legumes make awesome snacks – you’d be surprised at how tasty even kidney beans can be right out of the can! Keep a stash of legumes and beans in your pantry for a natural, filling appetite suppressant to reduce hunger.

7. Appetite Pills and Tablets

Alright, now that we’ve talked about appetite suppressants, you’ll want to know how to choose one! Appetite suppressants come in many forms, including liquids, powders, pills and tablets. They even make appetite suppressant lollipops! But the most commonly bought and used types of appetite suppressants are pills and tablets.

Ready to learn how to choose an appetite suppressant, and what you should avoid? Let’s take a look!

What to look for in appetite suppressant pills

The first thing you’re going to do is talk to your doctor, right? Together, you and your physician can determine which pills or tablets will suppress appetite, reduce hunger and get your BMI to a healthy number.

Then, you can begin to look at the ingredients in the appetite suppressants that are available to you. Some tablets and pills will have all natural ingredients but, once again, not everything that’s natural is necessarily safe. Be sure to clear this with your doctor as well.

Other tablets have chemical ingredients. For instance, prescription pills will normally be based on chemistry, not nature. Either type of pill is fine, so long as it fits with your lifestyle and doesn’t interfere with your medications or medical conditions.

Some ingredients that people have success with are:

• Green tea
• Caffeine
• Garcinia cambogia
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Glucomannan
• Chromium picolinate
• Dietary fiber

What to avoid in appetite suppressant tablets

As we discussed, there are definitely ingredients in appetite suppressants that are dangerous, and these should be avoided. Some have been banned in most countries, but you can still find them on the street or online at times. Resist the temptation – don’t use these dangerous appetite suppressants.

• Ephedra – as we mentioned, this herbal product has been banned in most parts of the world because it’s caused so many deaths. Stay away from this one!
• Nicotine – yes, you read that right. Taking up smoking or chewing tobacco is, quite frankly, a dumb way to reduce hunger.
• Street drugs – this should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. Don’t take street drugs to keep your appetite down. It’s just not worth it, kids!
• Sibutramine – this drug caused heart attack and stroke in some patients. The prescription drug has been banned in most areas of the world.
• Fenfluramine – this ingredient has been banned, too, because of adverse effects on the heart and circulatory system. You won’t find this in most countries, but if it’s available where you are, it’s best to stay away.

Be absolutely certain to discuss any and all appetite suppressants with your physician. Don’t take anything that you’re not sure of the ingredients.

8. Are appetite pills safe? Dangerous?

We’ve covered this pretty extensively thus far, so we’ll keep this section short and sweet. Appetite suppressants, when you take them the right way, are usually safe. As we’ve mentioned a dozen times, it’s very important that you talk with your health care professional about which pills you choose to take.

There are obviously circumstances in which you should not take pills to reduce hunger, and we’ve mentioned these. If you have a history of eating disorders or if you’re already underweight (have a BMI of less than 18.5), you should not take these pills.

It’s also essential that you talk to a doctor or midwife if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding before you take an appetite suppressant pill or tablet. In most cases, it’s unhealthy for your baby to ingest appetite suppressants. Plus, you want to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your little one needs, even before she’s born.

Finally, it should go without saying that you shouldn’t take appetite suppressants that have been banned for any reason. Enough research and evidence has supported the removal of these pills from the markets, and it’s best to just say no.

9. Illegal appetite suppressant pills

Again, we’ve covered this subject a bit already, so we’ll keep it simple. Depending on where you live, there are appetite suppressants that you may have access to that are illegal to have, buy and use. We can’t list them here, because your local regulations may differ from region to region.

Before you buy or take an appetite suppressant, check the ingredients! The last thing you want is a heavy fine or worse for taking or possessing a substance that’s been banned in your area. Furthermore, you don’t want to get your local pharmacist or shop owner in trouble for selling it to you.

Check, check and check again. Be absolutely, definitively and beyond a shadow of a doubt 100% certain that the appetite suppressants you’re taking are legal in your region. If you have any doubts, check with your doctor or simply do a Google search.

10. Natural appetite suppressants

We’ve already mentioned that natural appetite suppressants aren’t always safe. Don’t believe that just because it’s natural or organic that it’s good for you. To the contrary, there are quite a few “natural” ingredients out there that will make you very sick!

With that said, you can pretty much bank on the fact that if it’s an ingredient you have in your spice cabinet or pantry, it’s probably pretty safe. Ingredients like:

• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Cumin
• Green tea
• Caffeine
• Coffee extract or caffeine

Are generally safe, so long as they don’t interfere with your medications or health conditions. It bears repeating once more – talk to your doctor or nutritionist if you have any doubts.

11. The side effects of appetite suppressants

Appetite suppressants have one obvious side effect: they reduce hunger! You knew that, but you may not be aware of some of the other effects these pills and tablets can have on your health and your body. The impact of these supplements will vary depending upon your:

• Overall health
• Eating habits
• Exercise habits
• Medications
• Lifestyle

It’s important that you be mindful of your own body. If you start to feel in any way “strange,” discontinue taking your supplements and talk to your doc.

You should also keep a food journal, or just keep track of your calories each day. It’s possible that your appetite suppressants will reduce your hunger to a point where you’re just not eating enough. If this happens, it can be detrimental to your health.

Here’s a list of the side effects you should look out for when you begin taking appetite suppressants:

• Jitteriness
• Anxiousness
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Increased heart rate
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Dehydration

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the potential side effects of your supplements, but these symptoms are the most common.

12. How to pick a good appetite suppressant

There’s no way we can tell you which appetite suppressant is best for you. However, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind as you choose one, so be sure to consider the following:

• Whether you can actually and literally take pills. Some are quite big, and you may have trouble swallowing them!
• Whether you’re on any medications currently – be sure to check for interactions.
• Whether you have pre-existing health conditions – be sure to ask your doctor if your suppressant is okay.
• Whether you want a natural pill or would consider a synthetic formula.
• The ingredients in your appetite suppressant – whether you would consider them and whether they’re safe for you.
• The frequency at which you’ll have to take your pills – do you want to commit to three times a day, or would once be easier?

Always read the label of your appetite suppressant.

The value of your appetite suppressant

Some pills are expensive! Pay attention to what you’re paying for, and determine whether your appetite suppressant is a good value. Generally speaking, most supplements will come in about a 30 day supply. Evaluate the cost and the quantity of tablets in your container, and use your own judgment.

The content of your pills

You’ll obviously want to pay attention to the ingredients in your appetite suppressants, but there’s something else you should look out for: filler ingredients. Some manufacturers will stuff pills with starches and other ingredients that will do nothing for your weight loss or to reduce hunger. So read the “inactive ingredients” as well as the active ones.

The active ingredients in your pills

This one’s the most obvious. You’ll certainly want to know which ingredients you’re taking, as well as what they’ll do for – and to – your body. If you have any doubts, talk to a doctor or search your ingredients online.

How to use appetite suppressants

To put it quite simply, you should take your appetite suppressants:

• As instructed by your doctor or nutritionist
• As instructed by the bottle’s label

Taking appetite suppressants in a way that’s not recommended can be dangerous, particularly with the suppressants that are stimulants. You may reduce your BMI, but you’ll be unhealthy while you do so!

Conclusion

When you want to reduce hunger, gain a healthy BMI and suppress your appetite and cravings, an appetite suppressant is a good option for you. Always do your research and talk to your doctor ahead of taking your supplement. Then, enjoy the added boost to your weight loss that an appetite suppressant can give you!