The objective of this study was to determine the effect of white potato cooking methods on subjective appetite, short-term food intake (FI), and glycemic response in healthy older adults. Using a within-subject, repeated-measures design, 20 participants (age: 70.4 ± 0.6 y) completed, in random order, five treatment conditions: three potato treatments (baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and French fries), an isocaloric control treatment (white bread), or a fasting condition (meal skipping). Subjective appetite and glycemic response were measured for 120 min using visual analogue scales and capillary blood samples, respectively. Lunch FI was measured with an ad libitum pizza meal at 120 min. Change from baseline subjective appetite (p < 0.001) and lunch FI (p < 0.001) were lower after all test treatments compared with meal skipping (p < 0.001), but did not differ among test treatments. Cumulative FI (test treatment + lunch FI) did not differ among treatment conditions. Blood glucose concentrations were higher after all test treatments compared with meal skipping (p < 0.001), but were not different from each other. In healthy older adults, white potatoes suppressed subjective appetite and lunch FI compared with meal skipping, suggesting white potatoes do not bypass regulatory control mechanisms of FI.

Objectives Although some epidemiological studies have linked potato consumption to obesity, diabetes, and mortality, there are limited studies on the effects of potatoes on appetite, food intake, and glycemic regulation in older adults. Therefore, the objective was to compare the effects of white potato preparation on subjective appetite, short-term food intake, and glycemic response in healthy older adults (>65 y). Methods Using a within-subject, repeated-measures design, 20 participants (age: 70.5 ± 0.7 y; BMI: 24.2 ± 0.6 kg/m2) completed five treatment conditions. Following an overnight fast, participants completed five treatment conditions (∼283 kcal) of baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, fried French fries, white bread, or continued to fast. Treatment meals were matched for available carbohydrates (33.1 g) and total fat (13.7 g). Subjective appetite and glycemic response were measured at baseline and over 120 min post-meal consumption using visual analogue scales and capillary blood samples, respectively. An ad libitum pizza lunch was provided to measure food intake at 120 min. Results Change from baseline subjective appetite and subjective appetite incremental area under the curve (iAUC) were lower after all treatment meals compared with meal skipping (P < 0.01). Ad libitum pizza lunch food intake was lower after all treatment meals compared with meal skipping by 175–215 kcal (P < 0.02). However, cumulative food intake (treatment meal + ad libitum food intake) did not differ among test conditions (P = 0.26). Change from baseline blood glucose and blood glucose iAUC were higher after all treatment meals compared with meal skipping (P < 0.001), but did not differ from each other. Conclusions White potatoes suppressed subjective appetite and short-term food intake compared with meal skipping, suggesting that white potatoes do not bypass regulatory control mechanisms of energy intake in healthy older adults. Funding Sources Alliance for Potato Research & Education.