These five foods will only make you hungrier!

If you find that you’re still starving no matter how much you've just eaten, it could be the food itself that is the problem. Your body needs fuel to function properly, and making wise choices can be the key to overcoming those after-dinner cravings.

Take note of these five foods that will only leave you feeling hungrier…

1. White bread
Still hungry after that lunchtime sandwich? Your choice of bread could be the problem. White flour is made by removing the most substantial part of the grain, meaning you’re not getting the filling fibre content that whole grain breads have. Swap your ciabatta for some brown soda or rye bread and you’ll notice you feel far more satisfied.

2. Crisps and other salty snacks
Next time you reach for that bag of Tayto to curb those hunger pangs, think twice. The simple carbs in crisps and pretzels are broken down easily by your body, meaning you’ll be hungry again before you know it. The high salt content can also lead your brain to crave something sweet afterwards, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the chocolate.

3. Sushi rolls
Sushi might seem like a healthy meal choice due to the presence of raw fish and veg – but be careful what variety you go for if you’re not going to be eating anything else. Many sushi rolls contain mainly sweetened white rice with only a small amount of filling. Once your body has broken down the rice you’ll start to feel hungry again. Try brown rice sushi rolls instead, or skip the carbs entirely and go for sashimi which is just thinly sliced raw fish.

4. Diet drinks and artificial sweeteners
When you sip a Coke Zero or put some Splenda into your coffee, you might be skipping on sugar but you’re just confusing your brain into thinking it’s about to get an energy-filled calorie hit. For this reason, artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose can actually trigger sugar cravings.

5. Sugary breakfast cereals
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so plan it wisely. Rather than reaching for sugary cereals that are bursting with simple carbs, go for a whole grain option that will fill you up for longer.