Snacking Effects on the Brain Response to Foods and Satiety During Dieting

Snacking Effects on the Brain Response to Foods and Satiety During Dieting

This study plans to learn more about how different types of snacks may affect brain processes relating to eating behaviors during a diet intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 25-45 years old
• BMI at least 27 kg/m2
• Comfortable completing a weight-loss intervention\
• Willing to consume a daily snack of either walnuts or pretzels

Exclusion Criteria:

• Nut or wheat allergy
• History of bariatric surgery
• Current eating disorder
• Current illicit substance use
• Current pregnancy, lactation (or less than 3 months after stopping lactation), or less than 6 months postpartum
• Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/100 mmHg)
• Significant endocrine/metabolic disease kidney disease, liver disease, or blood disease that would be anticipated to affect study results
• Taking injectable medications, sulfonylureas, or meglitinides for diabetes treatment
• Taking weight-loss medications, or steroids within ~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists)
• Significant mental health changes within ~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., medication adjustments, new psychiatric diagnoses, hospitalization relating to mental health concerns)
• Neurological illnesses or injury that would be anticipated to affect MRI data
• Weight change greater than 10% within 3 months prior to study participation
• Currently participating in another weight-loss study
• Not comfortable eating the study-provided meals (with allowances for dietary preferences) and/or following a highly restrictive diet (e.g., vegan)
• MRI-specific exclusion criteria (e.g., metal in the body, weight >500 lbs