This article was originally published on Savior.
Eating disorders run in my family. Recently, a cousin died from one of them. It was not about how much he ate, but that: cola, chips and candy around the clock. Basically, he ate himself to death on a diet that led to heart disease, diabetes, and other complications. One of the reasons he could choose unhealthy food is counterintuitive: he couldn’t stay full. “Foods that are mostly carbohydrates or high in sugar taste good. It drops easily. It is smaller in volume or water content, so you can eat a lot before your stomach expands,” explains Kara Harbstreet, nutritionist and founder Street smart food. “But it doesn’t contain fiber or other substances that promote satiety and slow down food intake.”
Do you know that feeling of fullness after eating a steak or a bowl of pea soup? Experts call this satiety. In 1995, Australian nutritionists developed satiety index to track which foods made us feel the most full. By feeding the subjects different foods and tracking their hunger, the researchers found that the foods with the least feeling of fullness were carbohydrate-sugar bombs. They’re delicious, but their dopamine rewards are like empty calories.
Foods with a high degree of satiety — those that keep you feeling full for the longest time — are “high-temperature foods,” says the nutritional scientist. Dr. Taylor C Wallace, which means “it takes a lot of energy for the muscles in the stomach and intestines to break them down.” The main among high-temperature products is protein. “The body spends almost 30% of the calories it gets from protein digesting it.”
After protein on the high-temperature scale comes fat, which slows down the body’s absorption of carbohydrates. Anyone who loves buttered toast knows how fat carries the flavor that creates satiety and satisfaction. Then comes fiber, a roughage that makes it hard (in a good way) to digest whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. High-fiber foods often contain a lot of water, which fills your stomach even more.
This is the essence of satiety: there are foods that do not stay in your intestines, and there are foods that do not. “In general, whole foods make you feel full longer than processed foods,” says the nutritionist. Kailyn Bogdennutritionist and functional sports nutrition specialist working with professional athletes.
But every expert I’ve spoken to has warned against using satiety index as a diet plan. diets, they say do not work. “Clinical studies show little, if any, effect,” Wallace notes. And satiety index has only been used in laboratories in a limited way; it has not been applied to the broad study of real everyday behavior, where its effectiveness could really be tested.
However, the concept of satiety is useful. “If you are eating a donut and your brain is happy, you can understand why your stomach is still hungry. If you eat fish and vegetables and your body is happy, you know why your brain still wants to donut“, speaks Arian Resnickchef and nutritionist specializing in diets whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and Pink.
Makes sense to me. In a world where Celebrities demand shortcuts to lose weight like taking Ozempic and other diabetes medications to suppress your appetite, and when others, like my cousin, refuse to take care of their diabetes and go broke on junk food, focusing on satiety seems like a sober and balanced approach to eating. The pros I’ve talked to have advice on how to think about satiety index.
Don’t confuse satiety with health
“You can eat a Wendy’s triple cheeseburger without a bun, and it’s very filling, but it’s unhealthy,” Wallace says. “You will see weight loss, but did you raise bad cholesterol or cause yourself to have hypertension?” However, feeling full can help you avoid mistakes when counting calories. “You can starve yourself by popping low-calorie Ritz Cracker packets that raise your blood sugar levels. Then you’re hungry, you can’t lose weight, and you don’t have energy,” says Bogden. “Foods that digest more slowly keep blood sugar levels more stable.”
Go for satisfaction
Reznik is not a fan of steamed vegetables. “Roasted chicken or friedvegetables are more attractive,” she says. If you agree with her, then you are more likely to eat vegetables with little fat. As it turns out, some vitamins are fat-soluble; your body can’t access them unless the vegetables are shiny in chicken manure. “So think about what brings you satisfaction, and not just about food. We listen to our body better than to ideology.”
Diversify your plate
Proteins, fats and fiber: all three elements are necessary for satiety. “If one is missing, it leads to starvation,” Harbstreet explains. “You end up unhappy and may rummage around for something else to chew on.” This means the maximum possible combination of colors, textures and flavors at every meal.
Resist dogma
“You may need more than fish and veggies because these foods generally don’t bring you the most joy and satisfaction because they aren’t full of sugar, salt, or fat, which are emotional triggers,” Resnick says. . “So add carbs if you want.” If refined carbs (like white bread or pasta) make you happy, start with them and then try less refined carbs (like brown rice and beans).
Be proactive
It is impossible to completely eliminate low-satiation foods. After all, we are not robots. Instead of abstinence, Harbstreet recommends a measured and deliberate approach: “If you’re going to a birthday party, be strategic. Eat a pre-balanced meal and then eat the cake.” It’s not about hard rights and wrongs. Make your choice based on cake by cake.
Write your story
Know yourself through food. “Start with what you usually eat and keep a diary of how you feel and how full you are 30 minutes, one hour and two hours after eating,” suggests Bogden. Has your energy dropped? Do you want to eat more? “Then gravitate toward foods with higher satiety levels and journal again.” If journaling helps you get rid of bad feelings, get a professional to help you use satiety and other tools in a way that works for your mind and body. “None of them is final and final,” says Resnick. “Each tool is something to consider in order to find what works best for you.”