5 interesting foods that keep you slim

Are you a foodie and you are finding it hard to stay slim and stay off foods? You don’t want to go hungry and you are finding it hard to stay on a diet. Well, certain foods have been discovered to stave off hunger and they have just the right combination of nutrients, volume, flavor and even texture to help control your appetite. Here are 5 exciting kitchen staples that work overtime to keep you full and slim.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are one of the all-time best foods for fighting uncomfortable bloat because they're loaded with water and naturally low in sodium (taking in extra water while halting salt reduces water retention). Plus, they're a terrific calorie bargain; you can gobble up an entire cuke for just 45 calories. Cucumbers are also a good source of B vitamins. Put down your sodas and coffee and eat a cucumber slice.

Popcorn

If you need to nosh and munch, pick popcorn. It's loaded with fiber, which leaves you feeling satisfied for hours by slowing digestion. And that's not all. When researchers in a Nutrition Journal study fed people either popcorn or potato chips, they found that 15 calories' worth of low-fat popcorn was as satisfying as 150 calories' worth of chips, thanks to the superior snack's combo of being low in calories and high in volume. Popcorn also has more crunch and texture, so it takes longer to eat and that gives your brain the time it needs to register that you've had enough food.

Potatoes

If you've banished these tubers from your table, it's time to bring them back. The potato has unjustly earned a bad reputation because of its starchy makeup, leading many to believe that it should be cut out of the diet altogether. What many people do not realize is that this nutrient-dense tuber is packed with a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that ward off disease and benefit human health. More so, it keeps you slim and full at the same time.

Dark Chocolate

It sounds almost too good to be true: When researchers at the University of Copenhagen fed volunteers a morning meal of either dark or milk chocolate, the dark chocolate eaters reported less hunger afterward. Even better, they consumed 17 percent fewer calories at lunch. We're not suggesting that you start your day with a chocolate bar, but when a craving strikes, reach for the dark stuff. "It's higher in protein and fat but lower in sugar than milk chocolate, which causes a slower release of sugars into your bloodstream.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are so rich that a cup of tomatoes clocks in 30 calories. These bite-sized nibbles are sweet, colorful, and ideal for snacking since you can pop them in your mouth one at a time. And, because they're so low in calories, you can munch to your heart's content without getting fat!