A Surprising Way Food Affects Your Appetite

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It seems only logical to observe that food affects your appetite in various ways. After all, we choose to consume a meal when we feel hungry and we cease eating when our body tells us that it is full. However at Spatz3 we think, this is only a somewhat small “portion” of a surprisingly complicated picture. This article will discuss several interesting topics.

What other factors (besides food) can impact your appetite? Can some foods actually make you hungrier and might others be able to provide greater feelings of satiety? If you wish to adopt a well-balanced diet, appreciating these finer points is crucial. Let’s take a closer look.

loss of appetite

A Look at Broad Factors That Affect Appetite

Believe it or not, your appetite is determined by a handful of extraneous factors and food is only a single component. Here are five variables:

  • The amount of food within the stomach at any given time.
  • Levels of an enzyme known as leptin.
  • Your blood glucose.
  • How physically active you are.
  • Psychological components such as stress and anxiety.

 

For the sake of this article, we will focus solely upon the unique relationship between certain foods and how they can affect your appetite.

Which Foods Increase Appetite?

There are some foods (and substances within foods) that will actually cause your appetite to increase. These generally function by stimulating a portion of your brain known as the appestat. The appestat can be thought of an an appetite “barometer” to the extent that it will send signals to your body when it feels as if you have consumed enough calories and nutrients. Some natural substances which have been known to delay signals emitting from the appestat include black pepper, cayenne pepper and ginger.

However, there is also a slight danger here. Unhealthy foods high in fat and preservatives may have a similar affect. This is why those who regularly eat substances such as fast food will often feel hungry even though they have consumed a massive amount of calories within a relatively short period of time. Such foods should therefore be eaten sparingly (if at all).

Can Certain Foods Cause a Loss of Appetite?

The goods news is that there are also plenty of foods that are capable of controlling pesky cravings if you find it difficult to adhere to a new diet. For example, substances with a high water content (such as watermelon, bell peppers and celery) will fill up your stomach for longer periods of time. The same is true in regard to high-fibre foods including beans, sweet potatoes and avocados (fibre is a bulking agent and it will expand during the digestive process).

There is additional evidence suggesting that foods containing high amounts of lean protein may be able to reduce your hunger. While research is still ongoing, one theory involves the energy required to metabolise protein into its amino acid building blocks. As the body is devoting a significant amount of time to this process, less of an emphasis will be placed upon the sensation of hunger. Consuming between 20 and 30 grams of lean protein on a daily basis may be able to produce these effects. Let’s also remember that protein is an essential nutrient that must be present within any well-balanced diet.

factors affect appetite

Finding a Delicate Balance

From the information outlined above, we can begin to see why “empty calories” will directly counteract your ability to lose weight. This is even more relevant when discussing fast food and other substances that can essentially “trick” your body into believing that it requires more calories than it actually does. It is therefore no great surprise that many societies plagued with obesity are also directly associated with diets high in fast food and other processed meals.

Let’s finally assume that you wish to maximise the benefits offered by the Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon. In this case, it pays to consume foods that will help to control your appetite. Drinking plenty of water will likewise control between-meal cravings while ensuring that you remain properly hydrated throughout the day.

Above all, make it a point to experiment with various meal plans in order to encounter those which appeal to you on both a physical and psychological level. Food affects your appetite in various ways and appreciating the subtle nuances will help you achieve your weight loss goals.

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