that the dense nutrition in that prime rib is
adequate for your energy and caloric needs.
This sends a “we’re getting nourishment”
signal to your brain while you’re still working
on your plate, which also reduces your “want”
for more food.
This is satiety.
This scenario plays out differently for
foods lacking the satiation factors of adequate
nutrition—complete protein, natural fats and
essential nutrients. Let’s compare prime rib to
a tray of Oreos.
Oreos are a highly processed food
containing almost no protein, saturated with
sugar and flavor-enhancing chemicals, and
filled with added fats. As we eat the Oreos
(generally at a much faster rate than prime
rib), they move through us quickly and don’t
provide enough nutrition to induce satiation
or satiety. So unlike the prime rib, there are
no “brakes” to decrease our want. We want