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.