Tomatoes helped her lose 6kg in a month — what other foods can suppress your appetite?

Lee Se-young / Captured from Lee's YouTube channel

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Comedian Lee Se-young, 36, has revealed her secret to suppressing appetite and losing weight without exercise.

In a recent video titled “Lost 6kg in a month! Revealing every weight-loss tip without exercise” uploaded to her YouTube channel YPTV, Lee shared her dieting experience following breast surgery.

“I hit my heaviest weight ever at 56kg after the surgery,” Lee said in the video, announcing her plan to document her weight loss journey over a month. She later stepped on the scale to confirm her weight at 50kg.

Explaining her diet, Lee said, “When I eat salad, I leave out the dressing and only include iceberg lettuce, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.” She added, “I always eat the tomatoes first. They completely kill my appetite.”

Tomatoes rich in fiber help curb appetite by promoting fullness

Tomatoes, Lee’s go-to appetite suppressant, are rich in dietary fiber, which slows digestion and stabilizes insulin levels, preventing sudden hunger pangs. Their high water and fiber content brings on a sense of fullness more quickly, making them effective for reducing food intake.

Tomatoes are also packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that eliminates free radicals and helps prevent aging, supports skin health and protects against cardiovascular disease. Some studies have also suggested that lycopene may reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.

Avocados, oats, and eggs can offer similar appetite-suppressing effects

In addition to tomatoes, several other foods are known to help with appetite control. Avocados, though high in fat, contain primarily heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Because fats stay in the stomach longer, they prolong satiety and are effective in curbing cravings.

Oats are another excellent choice for appetite regulation. Rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber, oats form a gel-like substance in the stomach that slows digestion. Eating oats for breakfast may help suppress appetite throughout the day.

Eggs, which are high in protein, are also known to promote fullness. Protein is more effective at controlling hunger than carbohydrates or fats, as it increases levels of leptin (the “satiety hormone”) and reduces ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”).

According to studies, people who ate eggs for breakfast consumed fewer total calories throughout the day and had fewer cravings for snacks. For those looking to control their appetite, incorporating eggs into the morning meal is a helpful strategy.

This article from the Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.