The following questions will be the subject of our article: What is the appetite? What are the factors that influence your appetite? Food is the first concern of man from a biological point of view. Indeed, it is vital for human beings to feed themselves. Our diet interacts with our bodies. This interaction appeals to the appetite and taste. On the one hand, we feel the desire to eat. On the other hand, we value and determine what we eat through one of our five senses. Did you know that the organic acids that are in white wine are the factors that influence your appetite? Those organic acids improve the absorption of food and increase appetite. In this regard, let me say that it is good to know how to pair wine with food.
I – Food and Appetite
Appetite is the desire to eat. Appetite exists in the most advanced life forms to regulate the amount of energy to be supplied for the needs of the metabolism. Lack of appetite, or anorexia, is a common symptom of many diseases. In the particular case of anorexia nervosa, the affected person does not lose appetite but fights hunger. The need for fuel is not the only reason we eat. Our habits and our environment, as well as our physical and moral state, also influence our fork. In the same way, our five senses, our mood as well as our memory sharpen or blunt our appetite.
1 – Cultural Factors That Influence Your Appetite
Our appetite is greatly influenced by our cultural habits.
*** The Influence of Meal Times on Appetite
In many cultures, especially for children, the day is interspersed with four meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. This rhythm corresponds to changes in the blood sugar level, which decreases about four hours after the meal. In most cultures, meals are usually taken at the same time, except for dinner, which is taken a little earlier or a little later in the evening, depending on the country (18:30 in the United Kingdom, 20 hours in France, 22 hours in Spain). Thus, beyond the biological rhythms, meal times follow the social rhythms of each culture.
*** The Influence of the Number of Meals on the Appetite
In our society, adults tend to skip snacks, which disrupts their natural rhythm. Four hours have already passed since lunch, the glucose level is low, and hunger will soon be felt … The absence of snacks is the origin of a phenomenon often mentioned in the causes of being overweight: around 18 hours, hunger becomes imperious, we throw ourselves on the first food that comes and, especially, fatty or sweet snacks. When we manage to resist this craving, we are so hungry at dinner time that we eat more than reasonably. This example clearly shows why skipping a meal does not help to keep the line! When you watch your waist, four reasonable meals are better than two meals too rich.
2 – Environmental Factors That Influence Your Appetite
Our environment exerts a considerable influence on our appetite, which will be greater or less depending on the place, the people who accompany us, or our activities. This is why I recommend you give it a try traditional Slovenian food and drinks in the most beautiful environment you deserve.
*** The Influence of the Place on the Appetite
Our appetite wakes up more easily when we are comfortably seated in a place where we feel comfortable. Cold and discomfort limit it and make digestion more difficult. The surrounding colors also affect the appetite; fast food establishments are often decorated with warm colors (yellow, orange, red) that are supposed to open the appetite.
*** Conviviality and Appetite
The presence around the table of people belonging to our close entourage stimulates our appetite. Sharing food remains a strong symbol, rooted in the reassuring feeling of being part of a group. In humans, as in many animals, sharing food is a powerful element of social cohesion.
*** Season and Appetite
Our appetite varies with the weather. In cold weather, we naturally tend to turn to rich dishes such as thick soups, potato gratin, or cassoulet. In summer, we prefer cold dishes, salads, or foods rich in water. Without paying attention, we adapt our contributions to the needs of our body, fight against the cold in winter and maintain good hydration in summer.
3 – Physical and Psychic
Factors That Influence Your Appetite Did you know? Our physical and psychic state has an influence on our appetite.
*** Exercise and Appetite
It is wrong to think that physical exercise stimulates the appetite. In fact, it acts rather on hunger. We burn more energy, and our body requires more fuel. Immediately after a workout, we are not hungry because the exercise mobilizes the energy reserves of the body; the blood sugar level is maintained at a sufficient level, and hunger is not felt. Moreover, in people for whom the permanent desire to nibble is the consequence of an anxiety state, exercise tends to regulate the appetite thanks to its relaxing effect. Cycling holidays in Slovenia can ensure your regulation of appetite at a proper level.
*** Psychic Difficulties and Appetite
Unhappiness, pain in the heart, tiredness, anxiety, depression … The psychological state can, according to the people, cut the appetite or, on the contrary, exacerbate it. It can also hinder digestion. Many mental problems result in appetite disorders or, in the most severe cases, eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or unconscious food intake.
*** State of Health and Appetite
The loss of appetite accompanies many diseases but also follows stress or surgical operation, for example. When the lack of appetite puts a patient in danger of malnutrition, an intravenous diet with a balanced liquid solution can be put in place. The return of appetite is an excellent indicator of a journey toward healing. During pregnancy, the appetite can be increased. If this is the case, it is better to balance the diet accordingly to avoid excessive weight gain. We must focus on foods rich in fiber and vitamins: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, etc. In breastfeeding women, the appetite is very often increased because the production of breast milk causes an increase in the need for calories.
*** Taking Medication and Appetite
Very many drugs affect appetite, positively or negatively (see table below). When a drug lowers appetite, usually because of nausea, this effect is rather transient, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. In contrast, an increase in appetite due to medication sometimes lasts throughout the treatment, causing weight gain.
4 – Drugs That Act on the Appetite
The medications we take can either increase or decrease our appetite. Know more.
*** Increased Appetite:
– Antidepressants – Antihistamines (antiallergics) – Diuretics – Antipsychotics (neuroleptics) – Corticosteroids
*** Decreased Appetite
– Antibiotics – Anticancer chemotherapy – Lipid-lowering drugs (against cholesterol) – Antifungals (against fungi) – Antiparkinsonians – Antiepileptics – Hypotensives (against high blood pressure)
5 – Senses and Memory Factors That Influence Your Appetite
The golden skin of the roast chicken, the scent of the apple pie coming out of the oven, the crispbread … Our senses are awake at the approach of a tasty dish. Our brain triggers the secretion of saliva and gastric juices; it stimulates the contractions of the stomach. The smell is the sense that exerts the most power over our appetite. It a cold enough to make us aware of its importance in the desire to eat. The view provides information on texture, temperature, and taste. But this information can be wrong because a nice presentation is not always a pledge of taste delight! Hearing can reinforce other perceptions; the sizzling of a piece of meat seized on a hot pan or a chicken that grins on the spit makes our mouths water. The touch is also decisive in certain attractions, such as the texture of the skin of the peach, which sometimes feels unpleasant. The memory of our culinary experiences increases the power of the senses over the appetite. Odors and tastes, especially those of our childhood, are indelibly inscribed in our memories and strongly condition our appetites. The food industry has understood that, trying to give a patina home or family food it offers. Despite these artifices, our memories remain faithful, and an industrial pie will never equal that of our grandmother. And finally, we also provide some of this authentic homeliness in our vineyard cottages.