Others have reported that soup preloads can reduce total energy intake. This pilot study investigates this phenomenon outside the laboratory within an overweight/ obese population. Subjects were used as their own control and divided into three groups: under-/normal weight (n=7), overweight (n=8) and obese (n=8). The subjects consumed three different preloads (no preload, 300 ml of water or 300 g of soup) prior to consuming an identical meal on three separate occasions. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to assess hunger ratings before the test, then hunger and satiety ratings were assessed both immediately after and one hour after eating. Any extra energy consumed before their next meal was also documented. The soup preload did not reduce total calorific intake. Satiety one hour after eating was significantly increased following the soup preload compared to no preload particularly in the obese. This could aid adherence to an energy restricted diet. |