Snack selection influences satiety responses in adult women

Abstract

Some research suggests that snacking can promote a healthy body weight while other studies suggest the opposite; therefore, identification of satiating snack foods may prove to be valuable for weight control. The effect of different snack foods on satiety and plasma glucose and hormone responses was assessed. Nineteen fasted adult women consumed two 238 kcal snacks (dried plums or low‐fat cookies), 238 kcal white bread, or water on separate days. Subjects completed satiety index (SI) scales prior to snack consumption and again every 15 minutes for 2 hours following initiation of intake. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes following intake. At the end of the 120‐minute test period, subjects were presented with a meal to be consumed until satisfied. Satiety index was higher (p=0.05) for dried plums versus low‐fat cookies. There was no difference in post‐snack consumption between the dried plums and low‐fat cookie trials. Dried plums elicited lower (p=0.05) plasma glucose and insulin area under the curve than low‐fat cookies and tended (p=0.056) to promote a greater plasma ghrelin area over the curve. These results suggest that consuming dried plums as a snack suppresses appetite relative to a commercially available low‐fat cookie perhaps by producing lower glucose and/or appetite‐regulating hormone concentrations.Supported by the CA Dried Plum Board.