You can try this method at home to see if it works for you, but you don't have to just eat apples. Instead, pick low calorie density foods that are high in water content. They'll fill you up without packing in the calories. Here are some examples:

• broth-based soups
• salad, heavy on veggies, with just a touch of dressing
• water-rich fruits like melons, oranges or strawberries
• water, tea and fat-free milk

Volumetrics is a diet plan that incorporates low-density foods into the diet, carrying this concept from pre-meal to the meal itself. Since water has zero calories per gram -- as opposed to nine calories per gram for fat -- replacing some of the fat or carbohydrates in your meal with water just makes sense.

Finally, if you want to learn more about choosing, serving and keeping apples, check out How Stuff Works.

Have you ever tried eating fruit before a meal to curb your hunger? What kinds of tips and tricks can you share with our readers to make this healthy habit stick?

Got a Walking the Walk idea you'd like to see Bethany try for seven days? Share it with us in comments!