Dieting can be very frustrating because it's so difficult to stay away from food. In fact, ignoring our hunger pangs and cravings can be quite a challenge. But, sometimes, even though we are not really hungry, we do have this tendency to reach for things to nibble on between meals. We also tend to have very big servings and eat more than we should. Such habits can keep us away from our ideal weight.

Looking away from temptation can be very difficult and leaving food on our plate can be wasteful. So, how can you stop yourself from messing up your diet? Well, you can start by slowly decreasing the amount of food that you put on your plate. Know the difference between feeling satiated and feeling bloated! Next, try putting in this list in your diet plan. These foods can help you control your appetite.

Water doesn't have any calories so you can drink as much as you want. Unlike softdrinks and coffee which can increase the acidity in your stomach and stimulate your hunger pangs, a glass of water has a neutral pH that can dillute the digestive juices in your stomach, giving you a feeling of fullness. So, the next time you feel hungry and you know it's not yet time for your next meal, try getting a glass of water instead of a snack. If you are the type of person who likes to snack while working, perhaps you should try keeping the snacks out of your sight and putting a bottle of water in front you. This way, you will end up reaching for the water bottle instead of a bag of chips. Having a glass of water before each meal can also help you control the portions that you eat.

The author of French Women Don't Get Fat had it right when she wrote, Tu mange la soupe. Drinking some soup before your meal can help control your appetite. It can also be a great snack because you only take in a few calories when you drink a bowl of soup. But, this doesn't mean that you should overindulge in soups that have a lot of cream, sodium and MSG. Getting some organic vegetable broth that contains only 20 calories can be a good idea. In the book , French Women Don't Get Fat, the author suggested that leek soup is good for people who are dieting. You can also try getting some soup made from pureed vegetables like pumpkin or squash soup.

You shouldn't hate your mother for making you eat a lot of veggies when you were younger. Filling up your diet with a lot of green, leafy vegetables can actually help you lose weight. Because the calorie content of greens are negligible, you would be able to fill yourself up without adding to your pounds. You can stir fry them with garlic, onions, water and soy sauce or you can eat them with a low-calorie dressing. All in all, you're bound to take in only 100 calories which is very little as compared to the contribution of oily chips and burgers.

If you are craving for sweets, you might as well load up on fruits. Because they contain a lot of fiber, fruits like apples and bananas can make you feel full. And, you can fill your diet up with these low-calorie treats. Some people actually lost weight just by eating an apple before every meal. Because it makes them feel fuller, it stops them from overeating. Bananas, on the other hand, have a lot of starch and can give you the energy boost that you need.

With this list of natural appetite suppressants, the decrease in your food intake will be much easier to bear. As an added benefit, adding more water, fruits and veggies to your diet can also improve your complexion. So, switch to a better habit by making sure that you are surrounded by these nutritious alternatives instead of your regular snacks.