CHANGING THE PREFERENCE FOR FAT IN FOODS

One of the best ways to ensure compliance with a low-fat diet is to re duce the preference for fat in foods. A recent study suggested that th e hedonic response to fat in selected foods declined during 12 weeks o n a low-fat diet when sensory exposure to fats was absent. No change i n fat preference was seen when fat mimetics were part of the low-fat d iet, suggesting the preference for fat may depend on continued exposur e to the properties of fat. However, despite the persistence of the do wnward shift in preference for fat in foods reported by the low-fat di et group with no discretionary fat, this intake did not lead to a redu ction in fat intake during a 3-month follow-up period.