Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the effect of a high-fat diet and alcohol (high-fat, alcohol) intake on subsequent spontaneous energy intake when controlling for food energy density. Twelve adults males participated in two 1-d randomly assigned sessions that only differed by the macronutrient composition of the appetizer served at lunchtime. Dietary energy was mainly provided by lipid and alcohol in one appetizer whereas carbohydrate was the main source of energy in the other appetizer. The energy density, content, and weight of the foods were comparable in the two appetizers. Ad libitum energy intake measured at lunchtime after ingestion of the high-fat, alcohol appetizer exceeded that observed after the high-carbohydrate appetizer by >812kJ (P<0.01). This overfeeding had no detectable effect on postprandial hunger and was not compensated by changes in energy intake at dinnertime. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a high-fat diet and alcohol favor subsequent overfeeding, which is not due to their higher energy density.