Two foods, one rich in protein (HP) and one rich in fat (HF), were emp
loyed to evaluate the effect of macronutrients on food intake and to u
nderline the differences that occurred when the foods were served as u
niform meal, as first course of a varied meal, and as a snack 2 h befo
re a varied meal. Our results showed that HP food always exerted a hig
her effect on both intrameal satiation and postingestive satiety than
HF food. When a uniform meal was consumed, satiation for the specific
food was reached before fullness; in this condition, sensory character
istics of foods played an important role in controlling food intake an
d made the uniform meal more satiating than the varied one. The consum
ption of a snack far from a meal did not contribute to satiety; conseq
uently, gastric filling seems to be an important factor determining th
e amount consumed in a varied meal. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.