Satiety is the absence of hunger which curbs future food intake for a variable amount of time. As satiety influences both the time until we eat next and the subsequent meal size, it is a pivotal factor in controlling how much food we consume.
As the suppression of appetite has been consistently associated with reductions in energy intake and improved body weight management and maintenance, reducing hunger levels has emerged as a potential solution to the obesity crisis.
Hunger levels are determined by a multitude of variables including the action of hunger and satiety hormones. Specific nutrients and food components can influence the secretion of these hormones and therefore the composition of our diet is likely to have a significant bearing on hunger levels, energy intake and weight control.
Numerous claims have been made regarding the hunger-reducing properties of particular foods or types of food, but evidence to back up these assertions is often lacking. There is, however, relatively compelling evidence that foods high in protein, high in fibre and low in energy density (that's the number of calories in a gram of food) are most effective at positively influence satiety and may help lower energy intake.
Diets that are high in protein or high in fibre or low in energy density may all be effective at promoting weight loss due to their effect on satiety and the subsequent reduction in energy intake. A diet that includes meals in each of these categories may, however, provide greater nutritional diversity which can help with dietary adherence. A lack of dietary adherence and exclusions of particular foods or food groups is a common barrier to long term weight loss for many people.
It doesn't feel like I'm dieting and yet I'm still losing weight. I can't give a better recommendation than that! - Robert (47)