Meal Recall and its Effect on Snack Intake

This is a brief summary of the research study by: Szypula J, Ahern A, Cheke L, (2023). Imagine this: Visualising a recent meal as bigger reduces subsequent snack intake. Appetite, 181 (106411) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2022.106411.

The Yolk

What is the meal recall effect?

• Memory of past meals influencing eating behaviors for subsequent meals
• Appetite might be related to more than just physiological hunger
• Studies show meal recall can reduce intake of snacks

How is the meal recall effect studied?

• 151 adult participants
• Ate a meal in the lab (Uncle Bens’ Rice Time Sweet and Sour)
• Returned 3 hours later for a questionnaire
• Split in 5 groups
  • Imagine recent lunch instead – 2 min guided imagery
  • Imagine recent lunch in detail – 2 min guided imagery
  • Imagine recent lunch twice as big – 2 min guided imagery
  • Imagine a different meal – Heinz spaghetti hoops
  • Imagine something non-food related – paperclips and rubberbands on plate
• Then told to eat as many biscuits as they wanted
• Rated mood on a questionnaire

Results of the meal recall study

• The group imaging a meal twice as big ate the least biscuits of all groups
  • 32% fewer biscuits or about 122 calories less
• Recalling in detail or recalling non-food items on plate did not decrease biscuit intake
• People overestimated how much they ate in all groups
• Meal recall might decrease later food intake but many disruptions are possible

Disruptions to the meal recall effect

• Recall a meal too recent to when it was consumed
• Recalling a meal in too much detail
• Talking about the meal to others
• Having a positive mood

Perspective

Concerns about the study

• The effects of a processed ready to eat, microwaveable meal on appetite versus a whole food meal may be different
• The participants may alter their eating behavior in the lab
• Recalling meals as a regular habit could fuel obsessive food behaviors

Takeaways on meal recall

• This study demonstrated that imagining a meal twice as big seemed to be effective at reducing intake of snacks hours later – but many issues are present
  • Imaging your food as different, bigger, or not food is not a healthy food behavior
  • Instead, building a healthy relationship with food may help health in the long run
  • There are much more effective weight loss strategies available
• A consideration is to use a smaller serving plater or bowl when taking portions

Research & Resources

• Bigger portion sizes increased food intake regardless of serving method
• Participants who recalled the meal ate less food compared to those thinking about a non food related activity
• Memory ability is vital in food decision making
• Memory has an influence on food intake