Comment by justsomehnguy

> I was sure thin as a rail for the first three decades of my life. Is it just a male, aging thing?

Yes?

When you hit the puberty your requirements go up for an additional 1000-1500 calories.

Women calorie demand returns back after puberty, men stays the same and the calorie burn rate (if you don't sit 24/7 at the screen ofc) are higher than a women' one in the first place. So you on all levels - including your own habits - are conditioned to eat a whole lot.

And then your forties come your body suddenly decides what you don't need that much energy and your metabolism slows down, winding down the calorie intake demands. But if all your life you needed a whole chicken with a plate to 'feel full' then you won't suddenly eat a couple of chicken wings and have a 'feel full' feeling.

And I would agree with a sibling comment: the food caloric density did increased a lot though 'saltier, sweeter, and generally more addictive' is not a rule but a more of a diet choices.