Do you ever watch the TV show House? You know how they're always talking about "Occam's Razor," the principle that the simplest solution usually tends to be the right one? So, we're going to go with the simplest solution here: You're hungry because you're not eating enough. We don't mean to sound flip; we just want to stress that being healthy and trying to eat a generally balanced diet are worthy goals, but not getting enough to eat is not only uncomfortable but dangerous. If you find yourself suddenly ravenous and unable to get full no matter how much you eat (and you haven't suddenly started working out more than normal), you should certainly talk to your doctor. However, it's more than likely that what's happening is that you are cutting too many calories and your body is not getting what it needs. Note: This often backfires as a weight-loss strategy, too, because your body goes into starvation mode and clings to every single calorie it gets. Want to safely lose weight or maintain your healthy weight? Get enough to eat!

What sort of stuff are you eating? You'll need a variety of foods in order to satiate your hunger as well as give you the energy to keep going until your next meal. So, for example, a carb (bread, pasta, potato, etc.) will give you a quick boost, whereas protein and fat will keep you feeling full for a while. Make sense? You should aim to have some protein, carbs, fruits, veggies and a dairy source each day. If you're allergic to milk, try to get your calcium from stuff like tofu, soy milk, and leafy green veggies. Don't avoid any food (that includes sweet treats and the occasional bag of chips or plate of fries!), but just make sure to eat a variety of things, and have the less healthy stuff in moderation.

We hate the word "diet," since it implies a quick fix instead of finding ways to have balanced meals and a lifestyle that allows you to be healthy as well as happy. That said, we like The Dorm Root Diet (except for the title), which was written by college student Daphne Oz. It helps you come up with fun snack ideas, ways to motivate yourself to exercise, and advice on how to pick yummy foods that keep you feeling full.

If you really feel confused by what to eat, or are in any way feeling like you are out of control and making dangerous choices, talk to a parent or other trusted adult. They can help you get the guidance you need. There are also some organizations that might be helpful, like Hugs International, which provides information about non-dieting (at www.hugs.com) and if you think your eating issues are getting out of control, there's the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), at www.anad.org.

—Andrea Pyros