Mid-morning Gel Snacks on Subjective Appetite, Glycemic and Insulin Responses, and Food Intake

23 (14 male, 9 female) healthy, non-smoking human subjects aged 18-30 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 24.9 were recruited in the experiment. Five gel snacks including a control snack and four modified snacks containing whey protein, oats, coconut oil or maltodextrin were tested. On six separate mornings, at least 3 days apart and after a 12 hours overnight fast, each participant consumed a standardized breakfast of cereal, milk, and orange juice at home, then arrived in the lab 2 hours after breakfast to receive one of the five test snack treatments or skip snack. Subjective appetite by a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) was measured at baseline (0 min) and after each treatment up to 2 h (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured via finger-prick at the same time VAS measurements were taken. Food intake was measured via ad libitum pizza lunch.

Inclusion criteria

• be between 18 and 30 years of age
• be healthy, non-smoking and not be taking any medications, including birth control
• body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 24.9

Exclusion criteria

• fasting plasma glucose >5.5 mmol/L
• health problems including previously diagnosed diabetes, known or uncertain pregnancy status at screening, gastrointestinal disease, liver or kidney disease
• major medical or surgical event within the past 6 months
• current or recent dieting
• breakfast skipping
• receiving any medications
• menstrual irregularities
• food sensitivities, allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions to foods including: cereal, orange juice, dairy, oat, coconut oil, honey, apple, pineapple, strawberry, and pear
• behavioural or emotional problems
• alcohol consumption >7 beverages/week