Is It Possible? Nutritious, Filling, Low-Calorie Foods!

Dealing with hunger is likely one of the greatest obstacles faced by people who are trying to lose weight by dieting. It's a generally accepted maxim that you must use more calories during the day than you consume through eating. You don't want to struggle with hunger all day long, but you don't want to overeat, either.

These filling foods are all low-calorie, and they should help you through the day without hunger pangs or overeating.

1. Fish - 150 to 200 Calories / Serving

Count on fish to do a good job of filling you up while providing a nutritious, low-calorie meal. Fish is, in fact, the most filling of any meat available. Fish also have fewer calories per ounce than other meats like chicken, pork or beef.

You still have to eat responsibly, of course. Fish and ships, for example, is not a healthy option when you're on a weight loss diet. The breading and batters that are used when frying fish add appreciably to the calorie count of fish, and should be avoided. Grilled, baked or broiled fish, simply prepared, is best, as is cooked fish (like tuna or salmon) on a light salad. Added flavor is easily obtained from the judicious use of spices and seasonings.

2. Oranges and Apples - About 40 Calories / Serving

Many people are surprised to learn that many fruits are excellent choices as low-calorie foods that will help keep dieters feeling full. Fruit isn't usually a dieter's first choice when they feel hungry. Low in calories, high in nutrients, vitamins and dietary fiber, these natural foods are excellent snacks for all, not just dieters.

The round fruits are generally superior to non-round fruits like bananas, because while both will make you feel full, the round fruits have about half the calories.

3. Grapes - 50 Calories / Serving

Eagerly anticipated by weight-loss dieters, grapes are perfect snacks for the same reasons as oranges and apples. Highly convenient, these bite-sized snacks concentrate a high level of dietary fiber into a very small space, helping to keep you feeling full. You can snack on grapes all day long. It's easy to control portions, and they'll do a much better job of keeping you feeling full than any over-the-counter confection of processed sweeteners and other ingredients.

4. Whole Wheat Pasta - 300 Calories / Serving

Hungry people crave pasta! Don't misunderstand - this isn't an invitation to binge out on mac and cheese or stuffed shells. For one thing, I'm talking about whole wheat pasta, which will leave you feeling much more satisfied than the processed white pasta most commonly available.

Whole wheat pasta is more healthful because it hasn't had so many of its nutrients processed out, which is the case with white pasta. Whole wheat pasta also has more dietary fiber. Portion size is critical with pasta, though, because it's so easy to overeat. A portion about the size of your fist should be sufficient to fill you comfortably until your next regular meal.

5. Steak - 300 Calories / Serving

No, I'm not kidding. Steak is an excellent component of a nutritious weight-loss diet. However, high-calorie steak sauces aren't. Atkins Diet devotees have long been aware of this. In fact, in terms of their efficiency in weight loss, steak is actually second only to fish in the meat category. You can help minimize your fat intake if you choose the leaner cuts of beef.

Keeping a good control over the size of your portions is critical, of course. Don't go overboard on these delicious foods just because they're low-calorie. Other foods are appropriate to eat from time to time, of course. You should always keep control over your portion sizes, though. Soon, instead of always wearing the shape-concealing clothing, you'll be looking for excuses to strip down and let people see the slim, trim new you!

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