You’re doing everything right—exercising, watching what you eat, checking your blood glucose religiously. But it’s two hours before dinner and you’re ravenous. How can you not eat when your body’s demanding it? When your body says it’s hungry, you should listen to it. (And if you’re insulin dependent, it might mean you’re due for an insulin adjustment.) Often, eating healthy is easier when you eat more often—it’s just a matter of eating the right kinds of food to fill you up. Try these easy tips:

1. Eat snacks. You’ll feel better and you’ll be less likely to overcompensate when dinner finally does roll around. The trick is to choose the right snack. Arm yourself with healthy options for hunger emergencies and keep your portions snack sized by measuring them out ahead of time. Just be sure to keep track of any carbohydrates snacking may add to your diet and be careful to monitor your blood glucose for any changes.
2. Eat water. Soups, fruits and vegetables are made up of mostly water—as much as 90 percent! They’ll not only help keep you hydrated; they also pack fewer calories per bite than other foods. Plus, since they take more time to eat, they help you feel satisfied while eating less.
3. Eat fiber. Your stomach won’t have time to growl if you keep it busy with fiber-containing foods, which take your body longer to digest. For a high-fiber punch, fill up on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
4. Eat protein. Some studies have shown that protein is more filling, calorie for calorie, than other foods. Try beans, peas, fat-free dairy, fish, and skinless chicken for a low-fat protein choice.
5. Eat breakfast. We’re all told that it’s the most important meal of the day and for good reason. Breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day and skipping it will make your body feel deprived.

When you’re eating healthier, it’s very natural to feel hungry more often. Go ahead and follow your body’s lead. Eat the right kind of foods more often, and feeling satisfied on your plan will soon become second nature.