Study reveals the best foods to ward off hunger pangs (including nuts, chicken and CHEESE!)

They all have something surprising in common...

A study has highlighted some of the best foods to eat if you want to keep hunger pangs at bay.

The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Warwick, highlighted a selection of fruits, vegetables and sources of protein that can keep you fuller for longer, all of which are relatively simple to include in your daily diet.

All of the foods have one thing in common: they're notably high in two types of amino acids, arginine and lysine, which react with tanycytes, the brain cells that control your hunger signals.

Nicholas Dale, professor of neuroscience at the University of Warwick, explained of the findings: 'Amino acid levels in blood and brain following a meal are a very important signal that imparts the sensation of feeling full.'

'Finding that tanycytes, located at the centre of the brain region that controls body weight, directly sense amino acids has very significant implications for coming up with new ways to help people to control their body weight within healthy bounds.'

Foods that can stop you from feeling hungry

All of these foods are high in the two amino acids that the study concluded may help to ward off hunger, so including them in your eating plan could help you to feel more satisfied.

  • Almonds 
  • Walnuts 
  • Pistachios 
  • Peanuts 
  • Plums 
  • Avocado 
  • Aubergine 
  • Sweet potato 
  • Sesame seeds 
  • Tahini 
  • Cheese (especially parmesan) 
  • Chicken 
  • Turkey 
  • Pork shoulder 
  • Anchovies 
  • Tuna 
  • Mackerel 
  • Crab

The research also raised a discussion about the possible future of these amino acids in products like diet pills, as their effectiveness as appetite suppressants could be beneficial to those who are trying to lose weight.

Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies