Have you ever wondered why your friends get full easily, compared to you, after eating the same meal? Or why you don’t feel like you need to snack but your sister does? So many factors play a role in answering these questions, but genetics form part of that puzzle.
Through the study of genetics, we have become increasingly aware of how different we all are, even when it comes down to something like our eating behaviours. Eatwellgx™ will provide you with a wealth of knowledge regarding everything from how quickly you feel full to information regarding your potential taste preferences.
When you consider how quickly you feel full after eating a meal, there are a variety of factors at play. It depends on what you eat, the portion size, hunger and satiety hormones as well as genetics. Our genetics play a role in how quickly leptin (commonly known as the satiety hormone) is released and how quickly our brains receive that message. Those who experience a slower release of leptin following a meal may not feel completely satisfied after eating and may also be more likely to snack in between meals to achieve the feeling of satiety (feeling full). It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with snacking! However, knowing that you are more prone to snacking is important as this can tell us whether you need to spread your food intake throughout the day (between your meals and snacks) or whether you should aim to meet your nutrient needs in your main meals.
Our genetics also play a role in how sensitive our taste buds are. We all have the same groups of taste buds, namely: sweet, sour, salty and bitter taste buds.
While we do all have the same taste bud groups, it doesn’t mean that we taste foods in the same way. Some individuals have more sensitive taste buds compared to others. This means that when we taste something like broccoli, we can all taste that it is bitter; however, our genetics determine how bitter it tastes to us. The same can be said for our sweet taste buds.
To uncover how sensitive your taste buds are, how quickly you feel full after eating a meal, whether you are prone to snacking and other eating behaviours, make the better choice and choose Eatwellgx™ today!
