Pilot Study on Mixed Nuts and Food Intake

Pilot Study on Mixed Nuts and Food Intake

The objectives of this study are 1) to determine if consumption of mixed nuts influences food intake and choice, and 2) to determine how personality traits affect food choice, including mood, stress, tendency to seek approval, tendency toward food cravings, and approach to food intake control.

The condition of being overweight or obese has skyrocketed in recent decades, bringing with it many secondary health problems. Therefore, it is important to seek strategies to promote weight loss and to assist in weight maintenance after weight loss. Different diet compositions may have different effects on satiety and thus affect food choice. A pilot study will be conducted to determine if mixed nuts affect food selection and intake. Questionnaires will also be administered to determine if personality characteristics are also influencing food choice.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 21 to 60 Years Old
• 5 year cancer-free

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant, lactating, or intending to become pregnant during the study
• known allergy to study foods, including nuts
• use of tobacco products
• history of bariatric surgery or nutrient malabsorption disease or diseases requiring special diet
• Crohn's disease or diverticulitis
• suspected or known strictures, fistulas, or physiological/mechanical GI obstruction
• Type 2 diabetes requiring the use of diabetes pills, insulin, or non-insulin shots
• Self report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months and/or current acute treatment or participation in a rehabilitation program for those problems (long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion)