title: Snack selection influences nutrient intake, triglycerides, and bowel habits of adult women: a pilot study.
abstract: Because appropriate snacking can promote a healthy body weight and serve as an important contributor to a healthy diet for women, identification of suitable foods for incorporation between meals is essential. We investigated the influence of short-term (2 weeks) incorporation of 100-kcal servings of snacks of dried plums vs low-fat cookies twice daily on total energy and nutrient intake, biochemical parameters, and bowel habits in a randomized crossover design of two 2-week trials separated by a 2-week wash-out period in 26 women aged 25 to 54 years with a body mass index between 24 and 35. Incorporation of dried plums or low-fat cookies into the diet did not alter energy intake or weight; however, compared to cookies, dried plums promoted greater (P< or =0.05) intake of fiber, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium. Total fat intake tended (P=0.094) to decrease with dried plum consumption, as did cholesterol intake (P=0.098). Plasma triglyceride concentration remained unchanged (P>0.05) by dried plum consumption and was 17.0+/-29.2 mg/dL (0.19+/-0.33 mmol/L) higher (P< or =0.05) after consumption of low-fat cookies vs dried plums at the end of 2 weeks. Dried plums promoted a softer (P< or =0.05) stool consistency vs usual intake and in comparison to intake of low-fat cookies. These results suggest that relative to a commercially processed low-fat cookie snack, dried plums promote more favorable plasma triglyceride responses, improved dietary quality, and slightly improved bowel function.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Petrisko
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furchner-Evanson
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nemoseck
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010865:Pilot Projects; D027861:Prunus; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol