I’ve been overweight all my life. Recently, I’ve read a little
about what controls hunger and appetite. Are there foods I can
eat that will help me feel fuller sooner, so I eat less? As you
suspect, the connection between eating and feeling full isn’t as
simple as most people think. Scientists are still uncovering new
information about the mechanisms involved. For example, we’ve
known for a while that eating foods high in protein may help us
feel full more than when we eat carbohydrates or fats.
Scientists are just now figuring out why. A French study
published online in early July 2012 in the journal Cell shed
some light: Apparently, peptides -- the product of digested
proteins -- block the activity of certain nerve receptors in the
gut. Blocking those receptors sends signals to the brain that in
turn stimulates the intestine to release glucose, which
suppresses the appetite. Knowing this provides more evidence for
the benefits of including at least some lean protein in every
meal. A little fat in the food w