High calorie and protein snacks
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High Calorie and Protein Snacks: Benefits and Impacts
High-Protein Snacks for Diabetic Patients
High-protein snacks have shown promising results for diabetic patients by managing blood glucose and insulin levels more effectively than traditional carbohydrate-rich snacks. A study developed high-protein snacks with enhanced isolated soy protein and found that these snacks led to a significantly slower increase in postprandial blood glucose levels compared to a control group consuming white bread. Additionally, insulin secretion was lower, indicating that these snacks could be a healthier alternative for diabetic patients.
Appetite Control and Satiety in Healthy Women
High-protein snacks have been found to improve appetite control and satiety in healthy women. A study comparing high-protein yogurt to high-fat snacks like crackers and chocolate found that the yogurt snack significantly reduced afternoon hunger and delayed eating initiation. Participants consuming the yogurt snack also consumed fewer calories at dinner compared to those who ate high-fat snacks. Another study confirmed that high-protein yogurt snacks led to reduced hunger, increased fullness, and delayed subsequent eating compared to lower protein snacks.
Body Composition in Normal-Weight Obese Women
In women with normal-weight obesity (NWO), high-protein snacks have been shown to improve body composition. A six-month intervention with soy-enriched high-protein snacks resulted in significant reductions in appetite, energy intake, carbohydrate intake, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Additionally, there was an increase in skeletal muscle mass, suggesting that high-protein snacks can be an effective strategy for improving body composition in this population.
Impact on Adolescents' Appetite and Mood
High-protein snacks also benefit adolescents by improving appetite control, satiety, and diet quality. A study found that high-protein soy snacks reduced appetite more effectively than high-fat snacks and delayed eating initiation. These snacks also led to fewer high-fat/high-sugar evening snacks and improved certain aspects of mood and cognition, such as reducing confusion and increasing cognitive flexibility.
Protein-Energy Wasting in Hemodialysis Patients
For patients undergoing hemodialysis, high-calorie, high-protein snacks can help manage protein-energy wasting. A study showed that consuming a high-protein whole food snack post-hemodialysis was associated with positive changes in serum albumin and protein catabolic rate, although the changes were not statistically significant. This suggests that such snacks may be beneficial for maintaining nutritional status in these patients.
Short-Term Glucose and Insulin Profiles
High-protein, high-fiber snack bars have been shown to improve short-term glucose and insulin profiles compared to high-fat snack bars. A study found that these snack bars led to lower glucose and insulin responses and reduced energy intake at subsequent meals, highlighting the potential metabolic benefits of high-protein snacks.
Alcohol Consumption and Snack Choices
In social drinkers, high-protein snacks can help manage food energy intake. A study comparing high-protein snacks to standard protein snacks after alcohol consumption found no significant differences in overall energy intake. However, protein intake was higher in the high-protein snack group, suggesting that these snacks may help mitigate the effects of alcohol on food consumption.
Satiety and Snacking in Healthy Adults
Contrary to some expectations, high-protein pasta did not show greater satiety or reduced mid-afternoon snacking compared to high-fiber pasta in healthy adults. This indicates that the satiating effects of high-protein foods may vary depending on the food matrix and individual differences.
Pregnancy Outcomes with Fortified Snacks
Fortifying protein-calorie snacks with leaf concentrate has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. A study in India found that such fortified snacks increased maternal hemoglobin concentrations and infants' birthweights compared to standard snacks, suggesting that nutrient fortification can enhance the benefits of high-protein snacks during pregnancy.
Conclusion
High-protein snacks offer numerous benefits across different populations, including improved blood glucose control in diabetics, better appetite control and satiety in healthy individuals, enhanced body composition in normal-weight obese women, and improved nutritional status in hemodialysis patients. These snacks can also positively impact mood and cognitive function in adolescents and improve pregnancy outcomes when fortified with additional nutrients.
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