EFFECT OF FAT-FREE POTATO-CHIPS WITH AND WITHOUT NUTRITION LABELS ON FAT AND ENERGY INTAKES

This study investigated the effect on fat and energy intakes of fat-fr ee potato chips made with olestra compared with regular potato chips. Ninety-five participants (unrestrained and restrained males and female s) were tested in 2 conditions. In the information condition, particip ants were given nutrition information about the chips and were aware t hat the chips differed in fat and energy contents. In the no-informati on condition, participants were not aware of the differences. In both conditions, participants ate either regular or fat-free potato chips a d libitum for an afternoon snack in a crossover design in two 10-d per iods. To assess 24-h intake, participants completed food diaries twice in each 10-d period. The results showed that all groups significantIy reduced their fat and energy intakes in the snack when eating the fat -free chips compared with the regular chips (P < 0.0001), Also. potato chip intake did not differ across time for either type of chip. Over 24 h all participants had lower fat intakes (P < 0.05) when eating the fat-free potato chips compared with the regular chips, but 24-h energ y intake was not significantly different between groups. When informat ion was provided, restrained participants ate more of the fat-free chi ps than the regular chips; however tills increase did not negate the r eductions in fat and energy associated with rating the fat-free chips. This study showed that substituting fat-free (olestra-containing) pot ato chips for regular-fat chips can help reduce fat and energy intakes in short-term (within meal) situations and reduce fat intake over 24 h.