Final answer:
The thermogenic response to eating is increased metabolic rate, and a high-protein diet can lead to a greater thermogenic response compared to diets high in carbohydrates or fats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thermogenic response is an increase in metabolic rate that occurs after eating. When someone consumes a high-protein diet, it can lead to a greater thermogenic response compared to diets high in carbohydrates or fats. The increase in metabolic rate is due to the specific dynamic action (S.D.A.) of the food, which is the energy required for the digestion and absorption of different nutrients.
For proteins, the S.D.A. effect is about 30%, while for carbohydrates it's around 6%, and for fats it's about 4%. This means that when someone eats a high-protein meal, their body burns more calories through the process of digestion and absorption compared to other types of food.
Overall, the thermogenic response to eating a high-protein diet can have implications for weight management and energy expenditure.