What is your metabolic type?

Many people look to exercise for weight loss, which is reasonable, because it can help. In my experience, however, of all of the benefits of exercise, weight loss is pretty far down the list, as it only goes so far. For real results, if you wish to see your body change, you must change your diet.

The question of diet is highly individual and I’m not talking about taste, but rather, need. The needs of your body as far as nutrients are concerned are as unique as everything else about you and so are the foods that your body will struggle to digest, assimilate and eliminate. For many people, this one fact alone will cause them to gain tens or even hundreds of pounds in unwanted weight, while someone on the exact same diet looks like they workout everyday, even if they don’t. Unfair! You say, and perhaps it is, but try to see it as your body giving you instant feedback on what’s going on, because the signs that your body gives you are the best way to determine what is best for it.

In the following metabolic typing test*, you will answer twelve subjective questions that will help you determine what foods might be the best for you. This quiz is a guide that you can use and reuse in the future. I would definitely recommend retesting after any major dietary or lifestyle changes and also at any major changes in season, based on where you live.

I sleep best:

When I eat a snack high in protein and fat 1-2 hours before going to sleep.
When I eat a snack higher in carbohydrates 3-4 hours before going to sleep.

2. I sleep best if:

My dinner is composed of mainly meat with some vegetables or other carbohydrates.
My dinner is composed mainly of vegetables or other carbohydrates and a comparatively small serving of meat.

3. I sleep best and wake up feeling rested:

If I don’t eat sweet desserts like cakes, candy or cookies. If I eat a rich dessert that is not overly sweet, such as high-quality fill-fat ice cream, I tend to sleep okay.
If I occasionally eat a sweet dessert before I go to bed.

4. After vigorous exercise, I feel best when I consume:

Foods or drinks with higher protein and/or fat content, such as a high-protein shake.
Foods or drinks higher in carbohydrates (sweeter), such as Gatorade.

5. I do best – maintain mental clarity and a sense of well-being for up to four hours after a meal-when I eat:

A meat-based meal containing heavier meats such as chicken legs, roast beef and salmon, with a smaller portion of carbohydrate.
A carbohydrate-based meal containing vegetables, bread or rice and a small portion of a lighter meat such as chicken breast or white fish.

6. If I am tired and consume sugar or sweet foods such as donuts, candy or sweetened drinks without significant amount of fat or protein:

I get a rush of energy, but then I am likely to crash and feel sluggish.
I feel better and my energy levels are restored until my next meal.

7. Which statement best describes your disposition toward food in general:

I love food and live to eat!
I am not fussed over food and I eat to live.

8. I often:

Add salt to my foods
Find foods that are too salty for my liking

9. Instinctually, I prefer to eat:

Dark meat, such as the chicken or turkey legs and thighs over the white breast meat.
Light meat such as the chicken or turkey breast over the dark leg and thigh meat.

10. Which list of fish most appeal to you?

Anchovy, caviar, herring, mussels, sardines, abalone, clams, crab, crayfish, lobster, mackerel, octopus, oyster, salmon, scallops, shrimp, snail, squid, tuna (dark meat)
White fish, catfish, cod, flounder, haddock, perch, scrod, sole, trout, tuna (white), turbot

11. When eating dairy products, I feel best after eating:

Richer, full fat yogurts and cheeses or desserts.
Lighter, low fat yogurts and cheeses or desserts

12. With regard to snacking:

I tend to do better when I snack between meals or eat smaller meals throughout the day.
I tend to last between meals without snacking.

13. Which describes the way you instinctually prefer to start your day in order to feel your best and to have the most energy?

A large breakfast that includes protein and fat, such as eggs with sausage and bacon.
A light breakfast such as cereal, fruit, yogurt, breads and possibly some eggs.

14. Which characteristics best describe you:

In general, I digest food well, have an appetite for proteins, feel good when eating fats or fatty foods, am more muscular or incline to gain muscle and/or strength easily.
I am more lithe of build, prefer light meats and lower fat foods, am more inclined towards endurance athletics.

Results:

If your number of A answers is three or more than B answers, your answers point toward protein type.

If your number of A and B answers are tied or within two of each other, your answers point toward a mixed type.

If your number of B answers is three or more than A answers, your answers point toward a carb type.

Protein/Polar Type:

Protein types are often the most responsive to foods that are outside of their ideal food range, and can gain weight quickly when eating grains, sugar and refined carbs. They also find themselves much more susceptible to low blood sugar and extreme hunger when they fail to eat within their dietary guidelines. With that said, protein types can generally operate at a much more stable blood sugar level and avoid hunger for longer than any other type if they eat within their body’s metabolic type. Protein types usually need more fat in their diet than any other type, and sleep best if they have a large meal 2-3 hours before bed. Transitioning from carb dependence and back to a low carb, high protein/high fat diet can be difficult for the first seven days, but will pay off for a lifetime if you stay committed.

Carb/Equatorial Type

Okay, let’s be honest, many people (myself included) have found themselves feeling quite jealous of this person sitting across the table; The slim physique, high energy and otherwise healthy appearance sitting behind a bowl of pasta, eating bread and having a cookie for dessert. While it is true, your appearance might hide your habits better than anyone else, you are still on the hook for eating healthy, whole foods, or your body (and you) will pay the price in one way or another. You may find that you can go for long periods without meat and still maintain good health, you will metabolize, assimilate and eliminate legumes, nuts, seeds, roots and grains far better than most.

Mixed Type:

If you tested as mixed type then you enjoy the status of being the easiest to feed! You need to remember to keep a balance between both your proteins and carbohydrates and pay attention to your body as it often oscillates back and forth. Depending on sensitivity, your environment and your physical, hormonal and emotional stress levels, this oscillation can occur from meal to meal, week to week or month to month. This means you must master the ability to feel the messages coming from your body. As a mixed type, you’ll likely lean towards either a protein or a carb type most of the time, yet you won’t feel well if you just stick to one pattern of eating and ignore your internal body language. The mixed types will proportion their meals with 50% from the proteins/fats group and 50% from the carbohydrates. If you tested as a mixed type you can have 1/2 cup of cooked white rice per day. Remember to listen to your body though and if you feel that you lean towards being more of a protein type it may be best to leave the rice out altogether.

Resources:

*The questionnaire is from Paul Chek’s book “How to Eat, Move and be Healthy”

**I highly recommend Sally Fallon’s new book: Primal Diets to help you see how your diet may have looked thousands of years ago.