One of the biggest drawbacks of trying to lose weight on a diet is the fear of feeling hungry all the time. If you're already struggling to stop mindlessly munching snacks, just the idea of feeling as though you've got an empty stomach all the time could scare you away from even trying to diet. Thankfully, it's entirely possible to reduce your feelings of hunger while you eat fewer calories. Here are four ways to reduce your hunger pangs and feel satisfied while you lose weight.

Avoid Sugar & Simple Carbs

One of the best things you can do to stop feeling hungry all the time is to cut sugar and simple carbohydrates out of your diet. When you eat sugar and simple carbs, your insulin levels spike to maintain your blood sugar at a healthy level. Unfortunately, once the sugar you consumed has been equalized, your insulin level is still high and your body responds by feeling hungry. If you don't eat again, your blood sugar may dip, leaving you feeling  moody, devoid of energy and starved.

Complex carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains enter the blood stream more slowly, so insulin levels don't have to spike as high or as fast.

Artificial sweeteners generally have no affect on the body's insulin levels, so they're a good choice for keeping your hunger under control. If you just can't give up sugar entirely, try using honey as a sweetener instead: it also has a reduced effect on blood sugar levels.

Drink More Water

Drinking water not only helps your stomach to feel fuller, but it can reduce feelings of hunger. The body often sends out a signal indicating that it's craving water when you're dehydrated, but it may be misinterpreted by you as feeling hungry.

Think you're drinking enough water? You might be surprised to know that nearly half of the population is drinking four or fewer cups of water per day, which is less than half of the 9-13 cups suggested by the Mayo Clinic. You don't have to chug water, but consider raising your intake if you're not drinking the minimum.

Fat Is Not The Enemy

Here's something that seems counter-intuitive to losing weight: eat more fat! Believe it or not, after decades of the belief that eating a low-fat diet will make you thinner, doctors and scientists are starting to believe that fat isn't the enemy. In fact, many medical professionals now believe that animal fat has no negative impact on cholesterol levels, so you don't have to cut steak out of your life.

Sadly, many of the low-fat foods that have been marketed as effective ways to lose weight have been packed full of sugar and simple carbohydrates to keep them tasty, which make your insulin spike and leave you feeling hungry for more. A full-fat treat takes longer to digest and generally tastes more satisfying, so you may want to eat fewer of them.

Medication

If you need extra help keeping your appetite under control, taking an appetite depressant medication like phentermine may help. This medication affects the central nervous system, which plays a critical role in transmitting information to your brain about whether you're hungry or not.

Phentermine also increases your energy levels, which may make it easier to be more active, thus making it easier to lose weight. With boosted energy levels, you may find it easier to participate in interval-style exercise training, which has been shown to reduce appetite and reduces the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin, as well.

Going on a diet doesn't have to make you miserable, and it doesn't have to leave you feeling hungry all the time. With these tips, you can feel satiated while eating fewer calories and healthier foods. Contact professionals, such as those from Riverfront Diet Clinic DBA Doctors Diet Program, for further assistance.