OBJECTIVE:

To test whether the palatability of a test meal altered compensatory eating following disguised high-energy fat and carbohydrate preloads.

DESIGN:

Effects of preload energy (low, 265 kJ, or high, 1510 kJ) and test-meal palatability (bland or palatable) were contrasted within-subjects, with a between-subjects contrast of fat and carbohydrate preloads.

SUBJECTS:

Twenty-four healthy, normal men (age 23.6+/-1.0 y, (body mass index) BMI 21.3+/-0.5).

MEASUREMENTS:

Microstructural analysis of test meal intake and rated appetite in the four test conditions, plus diary-based weighed intake analysis of energy intake post-lunch.

RESULTS:

Subjects ate significantly less at lunch after disguised high-energy fat or carbohydrate preloads relative to the low-energy preload, and ate significantly more of the palatable than bland lunch in all conditions. The reduction in eating following the high-energy preload was significantly less in the palatable condition. Intake post-lunch did not differ between conditions, and overall subjects had higher daily energy intake on the days they consumed the high-energy preloads. Rated hunger was significantly less 30 min after the high- than low-energy preloads, but increased on tasting the palatable food in all conditions. The high-energy preloads suppressed appetite immediately post-lunch. No differences between fat and carbohydrate were found on any measure.

CONCLUSIONS:

Manipulation of the palatability of a test meal modified the ability to respond to disguised high-energy preloads, with over-consumption most evident when disguised high-energy preloads were followed by a palatable food. Subsequent voluntary intake compensated for over-consumption of the palatable lunch, but not the high-energy preload.