Assessment of satiety depends on the energy density and portion size of the test meal

OBJECTIVE Foods that enhance satiety can reduce overconsumption, but the availability of large portions of energy-dense foods may counter their benefits. The influence on meal energy intake of varying the energy density and portion size of food consumed after a preload shown to promote satiety was tested. DESIGN AND METHODS In a crossover design, 46 women were served lunch on six days. On four days they ate a compulsory salad (300 g, 0.33 kcal/g). Unlike previous studies, instead of varying the preload, the subsequent test meal of pasta was varied between standard and increased levels of both energy density (1.25 or 1.66 kcal/g) and portion size (450 or 600 g). On two control days a salad was not served. RESULTS Following the salad, the energy density and portion size of the test meal independently affected meal energy intake (both P < 0.02). Serving the higher-energy-dense pasta increased test meal intake by 153 ± 19 kcal and serving the larger portion of pasta increased test meal intake by 40 ± 16 kcal. Compared to having no salad, consuming the salad decreased test meal intake by 123 ± 18 kcal. CONCLUSIONS The effect of satiety-enhancing foods can be influenced by the energy density and portion size of other foods at the meal.