According to a recent study from Penn State, individual snack pieces’ dimensions significantly impact consumption speed and quantity. With snacks accounting for nearly a quarter of daily calorie intake in the United States, understanding these dynamics could be crucial in managing dietary habits, particularly in calorie and sodium intake.
The research, conducted by a team of food scientists, delved into how different sizes of pretzels affected various aspects of eating behaviour, including the rate of consumption, bite-size, duration of snacking, and overall intake. The findings revealed a trend where larger pretzels were eaten more quickly and in bigger bites. Conversely, more miniature pretzels were consumed slowly and in smaller bites, reducing total intake. However, despite consuming fewer pretzels, the sodium intake was higher with the smaller sizes. This study is set to be featured in the June edition of the journal Appetite and is currently accessible online.
The study involved seventy-five adults participating in three snacking sessions at the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center. Each session provided an oversized snack portion equating to approximately 2.5 servings of one of three sizes of pretzels: small, medium, or large. Each session was video recorded to gather data on the eating rate and bite-size, allowing the researchers to note the duration and number of bites each participant took. Additionally, total consumption was measured in terms of both weight and calories.
The results showed that when the same amount of food was provided, the total amount consumed varied depending on the size of the pretzel pieces. Participants ate 31% and 22% more of the giant pretzels than the small and medium-sized ones. This indicates that the size of the pretzels not only influenced the rate of eating and the size of the bites but also had a substantial impact on overall intake.
The researchers concluded that the observed eating behaviours driven by the different pretzel sizes were the primary factors influencing total intake rather than the size of the pretzel alone. More enormous pretzels encouraged quicker eating and larger bites. John Hayes, professor of food science and director of the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center and the study’s corresponding author, explained that the structure of food—its texture, size, and shape—could be strategically utilized to modify eating behaviour and regulate food intake. He highlighted the particular relevance of unit size in snack foods and expressed interest in how the physical properties of foods could be optimized to reduce consumption without diminishing enjoyment.
Madeline Harper, a graduate student in food science and the study’s lead author, pointed out a crucial but previously overlooked connection between pretzel size and sodium intake. While lower in total weight consumed, more miniature pretzels have a greater surface area relative to their weight, potentially leading to higher sodium intake due to more salt on their surface. Harper suggested that choosing more miniature pretzels could benefit those monitoring their calorie intake or seeking to reduce snack consumption. However, larger pretzels might be preferable for individuals concerned about hypertension or sodium levels as they result in lower sodium consumption despite a higher intake of pretzels by weight. This nuanced understanding of snack size effects offers valuable insights for dietary management and health-focused snacking choices.
More information: Madeline M. Harper et al, Unit size influences ad libitum intake in a snacking context via eating rate, Appetite. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107300
Journal information: Appetite Provided by Penn State
