Adding Puréed Vegetables To Meals Reduces Calorie Consumption Without Increasing Hunger

People who need to reduce consumption of high-calorie (energy-dense) foods can do so by adding more vegetables to their diet – if they can stand the taste. Tackling that problem, U.S. researchers have found that puréed vegetables added secretly to meals makes it easier to eat less energy-dense meals. The study involved 41 men and women who ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in the laboratory once a week for three weeks. Entrées contained either standard energy density or reduced energy density from the “covert incorporation of three to 4.5 times the amount of puréed vegetables.” The researchers found that the decreased energy intake of the vegetable-rich meals did not affect feelings of fullness or hunger and provided a good way to boost vegetable consumption.