Our Body comes in 4 types and shapes. We want to identify which body type our body is so we can understand how we develop our cravings for certain foods. By knowing which body type we are we will be able to know which enzymes our body will need to help breakdown the foods our body has a hard time breaking down.

So what Body type are you? Here are the four major body types:

Body Type 1:

1) Your shoulders and hips are the same width, and in proportion to each other.
2) You gain weight evenly throughout your body.
3) If you are obese, you carry excess fat in your stomach and waist area. For women, you hold fat in your buttocks as well.
4) You crave sugar in the form of desserts, fruit, pastas, bread, and vegetables.
5) You are drawn to chocolate and coffee.
6) You suffer from depression or you have mood swings.
7) You tend to get tired and fatigued by midday. You sometimes get up tired as well.
8) You have cold hands and feet.
9) Low blood pressure.
10) Allergies are common to you.

Body Type 2:

1) Your shoulders are narrower than your hips.
2) For women the greater part of your weight is in your upper thighs and your buttocks.
3) In men, your excess weight is in your abdominal area.
4) Your favorite foods are tasty or strong flavored. These include smoked, creamed, peppered, salty, or spiced foods.
5) You like Italian, Mexican, and Oriental cuisines.
6) You suffer from indigestion.
7) You enjoy fried foods such as French fries, fish, chicken, and onion rings.
8) You drink a beverage or wine with your meals.
9) Gallbladder problems are common in this area.
10) Your favorite desserts are rich, like ice cream or chocolate.

Body Type 3:

1) Your shoulders are wider than your hips.
2) You carry your weight in your gut and your upper torso area, including your back.
3) Your legs are strong and firm at any age.
4) Your buttocks are flat and do not have any shape, unless you work them out to death to build muscle in that area.
5) You crave protein, meat in all your meals.
6) You may put salt on your food without tasting it first.
7) You crave all types of protein such as lunch meats, nuts, sausage, fish, poultry, cheese, and eggs.
8) You suffer from stiff joints or pain in your left shoulder.
9) You must drink at least one beverage with each meal.
10) You feel stressed rather than fatigued.
11) Constipation is a big problem for you.
12) Having gas is a way of life for you.

Body Type 4:

1) You crave dairy with each meal.
2) You are drawn to starchy foods and sweets.
3) Your body shape is the same as when you were a teen. Your shape may be described as boyish, wiry, or having baby fat, but is has remained the same as you've aged.
4) You are the youngest looking member in your family, or matured later on in life.
5) You have bowel problems (constipation to diarrhea).
6) You have soft fat all over the body, not just in one area.
7) You crave dairy products but are intolerant to milk.

You may see yourself in more than one category (body type). However we are one body type more than the rest. We have a primary body type. For me I am a body type 1, but I crave proteins like a body type 3 and I crave strong flavored foods as a body type 2 does.

Now that you have figured out your body type, you can then see what best food choices you should make. Being able to identify your body type does not necessarily mean you need to cut down on the foods you enjoy. The intent is for you to take in digestive enzymes that will help your body break down these foods for you. The reason we have these cravings is we have a problem digesting these foods we crave.

Body Type 1's pass gas quite a bit and when they do I suggest you leave the room immediately. You may have difficult time breathing. The smell can be awful. If you are a body type 1, you want to cut down on sugar. Body type 1s have a hard time breaking down carbohydrates. You don't need to cut down on the carbohydrates unless you take in too much, but definitely you would need to cut down on the sugar. Everyone should cut down on sugar. To break down carbohydrates, especially for a body type one, you would need the enzyme Amylase. Amylase helps break down starch in the digestive tract. If you lack amylase enzymes in your daily regiment, the carbohydrates in your body will ferment.

Body Type 2's love fatty foods. They lack the necessary enzymes to help break down the fat in the food a body type 2 would intake. Lipase would be the particular enzyme a body type 2 would need to break down the fat during digestion. If fat is not digested properly, it then turns rancid in our digestive tract. That's why you should never pour oil in your kitchen sink. When oil is poured into the sink it turns into a hard substance. That's what happens to lipids or fats when not digested in our body. Again this is why Lipase is so important for digestion of fats.

Body Type 3's have a hard time breaking down protein. They need enzymes called protease. Protease helps break down protein in the digestive tract as well. If protein is not digested properly it will rot in your body. If you leave a piece of chicken or meat out in your kitchen for 2 or 3 days, it will start to rot and smell. Well that's what happened when we do not digest protein. You can brush your teeth and gargle mouthwash all you want your breath will still have that odor. This stems from undigested protein. Again you will need protease to help digest protein.

Body Type 4s have trouble digesting fiber or dairy products. They need a formulation of all enzymes that was mentioned above. I believe all body types should take a formulation of all enzymes, especially this body type.

The bottom line is we lack enzymes in our food. The answer to our digestive issues and our issue with shedding excess weight is a combination of digestive enzyme supplements with our meals.