The Thermogenic and Metabolic Effects of a Whole Food Meal Versus Its Supplemental Equivalent

There is limited research on the amount of calories burned and metabolic differences of a complete supplemental meal in comparison to a whole food meal. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences in calories burned and metabolic response post-consumption of a meal consisting of whole foods compared to its nutritionally engineered equivalent. Investigators hypothesize that energy expenditure and satiety will be greater following consumption of the whole food meal compared to the supplement meal, whereas, there will be no difference in levels of glucose between the two conditions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Weight Loss
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Whole Food Meal; Other: Supplement Food Meal

Detailed Description

Over 50% of U.S. adults today use some form of dietary supplementation to obtain their nutrient intake. Previous research has shown that certain nutritional supplements may produce varying metabolic and thermogenic (calories burned) responses, when compared to other food sources. The difference in thermogenic response may also suggest that there is a difference between a whole food meal and its supplemental equivalent. If there is a difference in thermogenic response, this may indicate that a meal-replacing supplement, such as a ready-to-drink-shake and/or food bar may not induce the same health benefits as a whole food meal in terms of nutrient digestion, absorption, metabolism and storage. There has not been extensive research on the thermic effect and metabolic differences of a complete supplemental meal in comparison to a whole food meal. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences in thermogenic and metabolic response post-consumption of a meal consisting of whole foods compared to its supplemental, engineered equivalent. It's hypothesized that energy expenditure and satiety will be greater following the whole food meal compared to the supplement meal, whereas, there will be no difference in levels of glucose between the two conditions.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 24 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Young healthy females

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with specific dietary needs.
• Those with diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and participants who are classified as high risk.
• Participants with lactose intolerance.
• Participants who regularly use dietary supplements.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Whole Food Meal; A whole meal consisting of 1 cup 2% milk, 1 cup Kashi Go Lean Original cereal, ¼ cup of almonds, ¼ cup of strawberries, and ¼ cup of raspberries.	Other: Whole Food Meal; Isocaloric/ macronutrient whole food meal
Active Comparator: Supplement Food Meal; A supplemental meal equivalent consisting of 1 cup 2% milk, 20 g whey protein, ½ EAS Myoplex bar, and ½ Balance bar.	Other: Supplement Food Meal; Isocaloric/ macronutrient supplement food meal

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Thermic effect of meals (TEM) also known as postprandial thermogenesis	The total amount of calories burned after each meal will be measured using indirect calorimetry with the ventilated hood technique. Following meal ingestion, participants will rest quietly for 2 hours during which time their resting energy expenditure will be measured every other 15 minutes for 15 minutes. For example, they will have their resting energy expenditure measured during minutes 15-30, 45-60, 75-90 105-120 following meal ingestion.	Baseline line, 15-30, 45-60, 75-90 105-120 minutes postprandial

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in blood glucose	Measure the change in postprandial blood glucose compared baseline using the finger stick procedure.	Baseline line, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes postprandial
Change in self-reported feelings of hunger, fullness, satiation	Visual analog scale of hunger, fullness and satiation using a 100 mm line which subjects place a mark. Closer to 0 mm indicates no feeling at a ll, 100 mm indicates extreme feelings.	Baseline to 120 minutes postprandial

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Skidmore College

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Acheson KJ, Blondel-Lubrano A, Oguey-Araymon S, Beaumont M, Emady-Azar S, Ammon-Zufferey C, Monnard I, Pinaud S, Nielsen-Moennoz C, Bovetto L. Protein choices targeting thermogenesis and metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Mar;93(3):525-34. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.005850. Epub 2011 Jan 12.
• Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Lentino CV, Dwyer JT, Engel JS, Thomas PR, Betz JM, Sempos CT, Picciano MF. Dietary supplement use in the United States, 2003-2006. J Nutr. 2011 Feb;141(2):261-6. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.133025. Epub 2010 Dec 22.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 15, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 26, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): July 1, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 8, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 5, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Body Weight Changes; Weight Loss
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1302-333

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No