Lose weight with this snack

If you're trying to lose weight, snack on prunes. Kevin Soden, MD, explains how high-fiber prunes and other dried fruit help you feel full to control hunger pangs between meals.

Transcript

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But the prunes added more than twice the fiber. The fiber makes you eat more slowly, which gives your brain time to realize

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when your stomach is full. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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I'm Dr. Kevin Soden here with a great snack idea if you're trying to slim down. Want a sweet snack that can keep you full longer?

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Eat some prunes. Research found that these dried fruits may trim your waist by keeping you satisfied and eating less.

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In one study, researchers gave 45 volunteers a midmorning snack of white bread and low-fat cheese.

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If prunes were added to the snack, participants reported feeling less hungry and ate 6% fewer calories at lunch than they did after eating just

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the bread and cheese alone. Why do prunes help you edge out hunger? Well, it's the fiber. Each test snack had about the same amount of protein,

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calories, carbs, and fat. But the prunes added more than twice the fiber. The fiber makes you eat more slowly,

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which gives your brain time to realize when your stomach is full. It also slows down digestion and reduces the rate

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that sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. This keeps your insulin levels steady and reduces your hunger pangs between meals.