The effects of low vs. higher protein yogurt consumed as afternoon snacks on appetite control and time to dinner request in healthy women

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PurposeTo assess whether afternoon snacks of higher‐protein (14 g protein; HPY) vs. lower‐protein (5 g protein; LPY) yogurt lead to reduced hunger, increased fullness, and delayed eating vs. No Snack (NS).MethodsUsing a randomized crossover design, 46 women (age 28 ± 1 y; BMI 23.1 ± 0.4 kg/m2) were acclimated to each snack for 3 consecutive days. On day 4, the participants consumed a standard breakfast, at home, and came to our facility 1 hr prior to their habitual lunch time. A standard lunch was provided followed by their respective snack (160 kcal) consumed 3 h post‐lunch. Subjective appetite was assessed by VAS completed every 30 min throughout the afternoon until dinner was voluntarily requested.ResultsSnacking reduced hunger and increased fullness up to 2 h post‐snack vs. NS (p<0.001; both snacks); no differences were observed between snacks. NS led to the earliest request for dinner (2:13 ± 0:41 h post‐snack) vs. HPY (2:42 ± 0:38 h post‐snack; p<0.001) and LPY (2:37 ± 0:40 h post‐snack; p<0.001); no difference was found between snacks.ConclusionsAlthough both 160 kcal afternoon yogurt snacks led to reduced hunger, increased fullness, and delayed eating vs. no snacking, no differences were found between the low vs. higher protein yogurts. These data suggest that a 9 g protein differential is insufficient to alter appetite control and delay eating in healthy women. Funded by: General Mills, Inc.