The Reduced Calorie Food and Mood Study

Health- and nutrient-related labelling is often used to draw consumer's attention to the potential benefits of consuming one product over another. However, research suggests that products believed to be 'healthier' and/or lower calorie are often experienced as less satiating, and may actually prompt people to consume more or these foods, or others. The current research aimed to whether consuming a reduced-calorie product labelled "Healthier Choice" affects compensatory eating behaviour (relative to an unlabelled product), and the extent to which this depends on the product's sensory characteristics. A two-session randomised study was used to test the satiety value of a reduced-calorie beverage - characterised as changes in rated appetite and later food intake (kcal) relative to an original-calorie version - consumed in one of four contexts varying in label and sensory cues. The beverage-contexts were assessed in a non-crossover manner.