The effects of meal composition on subsequent craving and binge eating

This study investigated the effects of meals differing in macronutrient com position on subsequent food craving, bingeing, nutrient intake, and mood. N ine women who had prospectively demonstrated episodes of craving received o ne each of a high-protein, high-carbohydrate, and mixed meal on three separ ate days. Appetite and mood ratings were taken before and at four intervals up to 150 min after meal consumption. Subsequent ad libitum food intake wa s recorded in diaries. Premeal hunger, appetite and mood ratings were simil ar across meal type. After the protein-rich meal, craving for sweet, carboh ydrate-rich foods was significantly higher than after the carbohydrate and mixed meals. Elevated negative mood state after the protein-rich meal and r educed vigor after the carbohydrate meal were not statistically significant . The first ad libitum eating episodes after the protein meal contained sig nificantly higher absolute and proportional amounts of total carbohydrate a nd sucrose and were more likely to be categorized as a binge than were thos e after the carbohydrate and mixed meals. Those ad libitum eating episodes classified as a craving/binge were characterized by a higher energy and abs olute carbohydrate, fat, and sucrose content. Evidence of macronutrient com pensation after a protein-rich meal suggests that carbohydrate intake regul ation may exist in certain individuals. Possibly via the effects of sensory -specific satiety, serotonergic function, or cognitive factors, a protein-r ich meal may induce craving for sweet-tasting, palatable foods in susceptib le individuals. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.