You know what they say about eating Chinese food? That you'll be hungry an hour later. Well, this is an actual fortune from a Chinese fortune cookie. I'd say someone had quite the sense of humor.
But seriously, haven't you wondered why? You eat and eat until you can't stuff any more in, and in a short time you are feeling munchy again.
Here are several theories regarding this widely experienced phenomenon.
- MSG acts as an appetite stimulate, so you may feel hungry shortly after eating.
- Carbs, especially those with a high glycemic index, makes you feel full but they digest faster than vegetables and do not keep you full as long.
- Chinese meals tend to be less rich in fat than what our bodies consider the norm. Since it takes fats longer to move through the digestive system than carbs, a less fatty meal will leave you feeling hungry sooner.
Do any of these theories hold water, or are we just programmed by years of hearing the phrase "you will be hungry again in one hour", leaving us with that expectation?Does this happen to you? What are some of your favorite Chinese dishes?