At 17:28 14/08/97 -0400, Dariusz wrote:

>Instincto comments please.

Personally I consider that the Anopsological approach is badly named as
 "instinctual". I would call it  "sensual with rules".

We possibly do have an instinct for what to eat at times.  It would be a
difficult job to seperate "instincual" from "intuitive" though, which is
regarded as a way of thinking as is "logical".

Possibly the first and last thing we do instictually for eating is when
newly born and we begin suckling at the breast for the first time.

Perhaps we are being instictual when offered our first alternative foods, if
we are allowed total free expression as to whether we eat them or not.

The body seems to have two basic energy states: carbohydrate and lipid.
When in carb. mode there is a hunger for carbs (sugars, fruits, breads, even
caffein, etc) and excess carbs and most lipids go to fat storage.
When in lipid mode (there must be a minimum of carbs in the diet for this to
happen) energy comes almost all from lipids, even for the brain.  The
limited actual glucose required is easily obtained from minimal low-carb
types food eaten, and from protein.  Stored energy is many many times more
than that when in carb mode.  There is no carb hunger.

Note: the transition between the two can be rather distressing as the body
converts from glucose to fats for energy, if there is a abrupt change to the
diet.

The point I am making is in light of the above:

If hunger for more carbs exists (even in the midst of plenty - eg after a
good meal, this still takes place when in carb mode) then to what extent is
hunger instinctive? (and I include smelling and taste drives in this
argument).  It doesn't make sense to eat big meals when in carb mode because
of the excess glucose, let alone the later possible problems with
insulin/glucose swings etc.

Why is it that when in lipid mode, there is no hunger for the very same carb
foods, and at the same time there is satisfaction with a meal quite quickly
(assuming lo-carb eating with sufficient protein and fats).

What justification is there to the sensory-based attraction to high-carb
foods (when it occurs)?
There is an inbuilt warning system against rancid fats: I guess you could
call that instinct?

Apart from the number of rules to follow in order to behave instictively.
HOhoHO.

As you can see, I am coming down against calling a method instinctive when
its not.
It is a defined system for eating however, lets call it something else.  AE?

Lynton