Cutting calories doesn't mean going hungry

By ALISON McCOOK

Many women may not notice if a few meals contain significantly fewer calories than the meals they are used to, a study shows.

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that when women ate meals altered to contain 800 fewer calories a day, they said they felt just as full as they did on higher-calorie days, and did not sneak extra snacks.

"They never were eating more than we were giving them," said study author Dr Barbara Rolls.

Dr Rolls and her colleagues reduced calorie intake by cutting portion size and the amount of calories per portion, known as calorie density. They did that by adding more water-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and using reduced-fat foods.

The researchers asked 24 women between 19 and 35 years old to eat all of their meals on two days a week for four weeks at the research facility.

Sometimes the women received meals with "standard" portion sizes and calorie density. On other days, they ate meals reduced by either calories or portion size, or reduced by both.

The women ate 800 fewer calories on the days when their meals were reduced by both calories and portion size, relative to the so-called "standard" meal days.

The women said they felt equally hungry and full on all days, regardless of how many calories they were served, and did not sneak extra snacks on days when they were given less food. They also gave the same taste ratings to all meals.

"People are not that sensitive to calories, at least not over a few days," Dr Rolls said.

- REUTERS