How does the rate of digestion for fat influence satiety signals compared to simple carbohydrates?

Fat takes longer to digest, generally promoting a greater feeling of fullness

The digestive timeline of macronutrients significantly impacts how quickly and strongly satiety signals are generated. Dietary fat requires a considerably longer duration for complete digestion compared to simple carbohydrates. Because the digestive process is slower and more prolonged, consuming fats generally leads to a more sustained and profound feeling of fullness, or satiety. This extended feeling can be a beneficial strategy for appetite control, as it may help an individual stop eating before reaching a caloric surplus. Conversely, foods described as 'fattening' often circumvent these natural fullness cues, allowing for consumption far past the point of physiological need, thus ensuring excess energy storage.