Single serve frozen meals at lunch yield greater 24‐hour energy intake reduction compared to shakes (LB306)

Abstract

Providing 蠄 450 kcal is an unrecognized attribute of most single serve frozen meals (SSFM), including those not marketed for weight management. Preliminary research shows energy compensation does not occur at other eating occasions when self‐selected lunch meals are replaced with portion‐controlled meals. Meal replacement is an evidence‐based strategy for weight management, with most evidence based on shakes as the intervention. While effective, shakes do not offer a traditional meal experience. This study examined efficacy of single serving frozen meals (SSFM) vs. shakes as meal replacements by assessing participants’ average 3‐day energy intake and satiety scores under 3 conditions: baseline, SSFM and shake. Participants (n = 23, 74% female, BMI 31.58 ± 2.95) consumed study food exclusively for 3 consecutive days/week, consisting of self‐selected buffet meals at the test facility and snacks to consume away from the facility. After the baseline 3‐d ad‐libitum condition, participants replaced their self‐selected lunch with a 280 kcal shake or SSFM in a random, counterbalanced manner. Participants completed 10 cm satiety rating scales 3 hours after lunch, and researchers weighed foods before and after consumption to calculate energy consumed. Mean ± SD hunger and desire to eat scores were lower 3 hours after SSFM vs. shake (5.64 ± 2.17 vs. 6.60 ± 1.87 and 5.67 ± 2.42 vs. 6.71 ± 2.11, respectively, p < 0.01). 24‐hour energy intakes were less during both SSFM and shake interventions vs. baseline (1900 ± 453, 1970 ± 431, and 2400 ± 596 kcal, respectively, p < 0.01). Additionally, compared to baseline, SSFM as a lunch meal replacement resulted in greater 24‐hour energy reduction than replacing lunch with a shake (‐500 ± 426 vs. ‐430 ± 388 kcal, respectively, p < 0.01). These results support the use of single serve frozen meals as a meal replacement for weight loss.