What foods are good for appetite suppression?  I want to slim down
quickly, and appetite is my biggest obstacle.
 In addition, are any supplements or OTC "drugs" (IE Dexatrim) known
 to be safe and effective? 
 Thanks...

Hi pcventures,

Thanks for your question! First, here's the bad news: over-the-counter
appetite suppressants are generally not recommended. They won't do you
any long-term good, and unpredictable side effects could potentially
do you harm.

An article at <http://www.weight-loss-diet-i.com/appetite-suppressants.htm>
explains the problems associated with OTC appetite suppressants.

"Over-the-counter (OTC) appetite suppressants are generally less
regulated, less studied and in most cases less effective than
prescription-only appetite suppressants," it reads in part. The
article further explains that any weight loss resulting from OTC
appetite suppressants is temporary.

The good news: by simply increasing your dietary fiber intake, you
will feel immediately fuller and notice a significant decrease in
appetite.

"Fiber really does help you lose weight," writes Charles Stuart
Platkin in the Idaho Press-Tribune
<http://www.idahopress.com/articles/2003/06/10/health/story02.txt>.
"Fiber is the indigestible portion of plant foods. Water-soluble fiber
helps people lose weight in two ways. First, it provides bulk, which
makes you feel full. Additionally, fiber slows digestion, which makes
you feel satisfied longer."

When fiber-rich foods pass through the digestive tract, fiber remains
in the intestines. These fiber particles absorb water and expand,
causing you to feel full for several hours after eating. Junk foods,
by contrast, are low in fiber and don't satisfy for long.

Your best bet is to aim for more than 20 grams of fiber daily; feel
free to eat as many vegetables, whole grains, and beans as you like.
You'll fill up too quickly to overindulge. In addition to acting as a
natural appetite suppressant, fiber also helps to prevent heart
disease and some cancers.

Part II of the fiber strategy is drinking lots of water. In addition
to making you feel full on its own, water provides the liquid
necessary for fiber particles to expand. Water also helps to cleanse
toxins from the body and keeps skin healthy and hydrated.

Be sure to increase your fiber intake gradually, so that the digestive
tract can adjust with minimal discomfort.

You may have noted the reference to prescription-only supplements in
the first passage I quoted. If you find that your appetite is raging
beyond your control, you may wish to ask your doctor about
prescription weight-loss options. These are usually only prescribed
short-term, however, as a supplement to exercise and dietary changes.
To put it another way, there is no "magic pill" to make the weight
disappear.

Here are several links to get you started:

MEDLINE Plus Drug Information: Appetite Suppressants
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202069.html>

Diet Pills: Are They Safe?
<http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/13780/98640>

Fiber
<http://www.20gram.com/diet%20tools/fiber.htm>

Weight loss tips
<http://www.advancedweightloss2.homestead.com/>

Think Big to Lose Weight @ Women's Running
<http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,4-0-0-1037-1-3,00.html>

Eat More, Lose Weight?
<http://www.thirdage.com/news/archive/ALT02021021-01.html>

I used the following search strings to get the dirt on diets:

"appetite suppressants"
"foods decrease appetite lose weight"

Happy slimming!

Emjay-ga

Answer is very good - thank You!