Tips to keep your hunger pangs in check

Maintain a routine when it comes to your diet and gets proper sleep to keep hunger pangs at bay, say, experts.

Prashanth Badrinarayan says a balanced diet, when realised to its full potential, can do wonders for the body. Some of his tips to curb your hunger pangs are:

* Have a balanced meal with the right amount of fibre and protein. There are two significant nutrients that help you fill up. Lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains with their low-calorie content help reap antioxidants and amino acids while slowing down digestion.

* Consume a meal with low-glycemic (low GI) value. Food with low GI value is digested and absorbed slowly thus preventing blood glucose levels from spiking up.

* Always aim for a complete meal and ensure that your intake comprises the required amounts of vitamins and minerals. Lay more emphasis on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, low-fat protein and dairy products.

* Go for a nutritionally dense meal, replete with all essential nutrients. Ensure you are consuming at least 400 calories to sustain yourself for three-four hours.

* Maintain a routine. Eat at the same time every day. This helps the body to get accustomed to a fixed schedule and work well in tandem.

Poonam Sharma, a fitness expert, and dietitian suggest:

* Sleep for an extra hour if you have to. Tired people tend to eat more food and are prone to binging throughout the day.

* Prefer eating eggs in any form as they tend to make you feel fuller.

* Sometimes people mistake thirst for hunger and end up eating something. So that needs to be analysed.

* Add two to three times of tea in your diet and that is sure to keep your hunger at bay.