24 Jul Weight Loss, Satiety Improved by Healthy Snacking
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Roberta Re, Ph.D.
Nutrition research manager at Leatherhead Food Research in Surrey, England.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Re: The main finding of the study on snacking is that consumption of nuts (almonds and peanuts in particular) can help to a reduced subjective perception of appetite and reduce energy intake at the next meal.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Re: No. Although nuts are considered highly in calories the calories due to the fat content, the bioavailability of some of the macronutrients is somehow limited due to digestibility. Nuts are also high in protein and the effect of nuts on satiety has been extensively investigated.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Re: Snacking has often had a negative connotation, however the choice of a healthy snack (and by snack I mean a small meal!) may help reduce the energy intake at the main mean and be a positive approach to weight management. The choice of a healthy snack, like Almonds, that are also high in vitamins and micronutrients can be a positive addition to a healthy diet.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Re: We need to look at the long-term impact of snacking and in particular understanding the mechanistic beyond it.
It is also very important to be able to communicate these finding to consumers and to ensure that the key messages resonate with them
Citation:
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) (2013, July 16). The right snack may aid satiety, weight loss
Press Release:
The Right Snack May Aid Satiety, Weight Loss
Healthy snacks that promote a feeling of fullness (satiety) may reduce the amount of food intake at subsequent meals and limit overall food consumption, according to a presentation today at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago®.
CHICAGO—Healthy snacks that promote a feeling of fullness (satiety) may reduce the amount of food intake at subsequent meals and limit overall food consumption, according to a presentation today at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago®.
“Appetite control is an area of weight management that is receiving increased attention as the food industry aims to provide consumers with foods that will keep them fuller for longer, reducing inter-meal hunger and overall energy intake,” said Roberta Re, Ph.D., nutrition research manager at Leatherhead Food Research in Surrey, England.
While the amount, frequency and types of snacks consumed in the U.S. and throughout the world continues to contribute to the obesity epidemic, some snacks, such as peanuts, nuts and other high-fiber snacks, may limit overall daily food consumption.
Re referenced a study in which participants who regularly consumed almonds as a mid-morning snack reported increased feelings of satiety “resulting in a reduced energy intake at lunch and dinner with no increase in overall” calorie intake. In another study, participants’ overall daily intake was lowered after they received a regular portion of cereal as a snack each day for six weeks.
Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., principal at Corvus Blue, LLC, said that food manufacturers are working to meet consumer needs for savory, satisfying snacks that also are healthy.
“You can make something just as delicious with a greater mixture of ingredients,” said Shelke. “You also can increase quantity while limiting energy density. The satiety lasts longer, and there’s no penalty for enjoyment.”
Press release: July 16, 2013
Last Updated on July 29, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD