No one likes the feeling of hunger. When we get hungry we are more likely to turn to foods that are higher in sugar or refined carbohydrates as these will satisfy our hunger needs more quickly. The downside however is that they will also likely add inches to our waistline in the process. Then once this snack is digested it is only going to leave you wanting more and the snacking cycle will repeat itself. The following foods are better snacking options because they will help stop the hunger for a longer period of time meaning you consume less total calories over the day.

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a really great snack because not only does it have a lot of volume for the amount of calories it contains but it is also high in dietary fibre. This will slow the release of the carbohydrates into your blood stream so you don't get that peak in blood sugar as you do with the other foods you may choose.

2. Nuts

Having a small handful of nuts before you get to the point of really being hungry is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The reason is because the fat content in the nuts is very slow digesting and will keep you satisfied for a long period to come. Nuts also have fibre, so like the oatmeal, you will have that factor working for you. You need to eat the nuts before you actually reach the point of full blown hunger however because it will take the stomach a little while to digest them initially and signal the brain that you are full. Additionally, since they are very calorie dense, you likely won't be eating a large volume of them. A smaller volume means that your stomach won't be as physically full which is usually the way we determine hunger levels (with foods that have a smaller fat content such as vegetables for example).

3. Canned Tuna

Protein foods in general take longer to digest than carbohydrate foods so having these as a snack is going to be a lot better of a choice. If you absolutely must get your 'carb fix', then try spreading the canned tuna over a few crackers to get that taste you are looking for but still a snack that is much more heavy in protein than carbs. If you absolutely cannot tolerate canned tuna, other high protein foods would work fine such as a chicken breast or some hard-boiled egg whites, chopped and mixed with a little salad dressing.

4. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a great option for a snack if you are looking to prevent hunger because it has a form of protein in it called casein. Casein protein is one of the slower digesting proteins and will help tide you over longer than a faster digesting protein. It becomes even better if you mix some peanut butter in with it because then the peanut butter further slows down the digestion process and also adds some healthy fats to the picture.

So next time you're feeling hungry and looking for a quick snack, give one of these a try. The goal is to reduce your hunger and prevent it from occurring again in an hour. If you choose vending machine fair or one of the popular cereal bar choices, you may satisfy the initial hunger but be assured it will be back again soon.