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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426974
Research Project: Food Systems Approach to Understanding the Impact of Pulses on Human Health

Location: Healthy Body Weight Research

Title: Evenly distributing daily dietary protein across three meals reduces women’s snack food reinforcement and intake of energy-dense snack foods during weight loss: A randomized controlled trial

Author
item De Leon, Angela
item Roemmich, James
item Casperson, Shanon

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/28/2026
Publication Date: 6/3/2026
Citation: De Leon, A., Roemmich, J.N., Casperson, S.L. 2026. Evenly distributing daily dietary protein across three meals reduces women’s snack food reinforcement and intake of energy-dense snack foods during weight loss: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2026.156391.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2026.156391

Interpretive Summary: Every day people struggle to lose weight and keep it off and one of the primary causes is snacking. Nearly all Americans eat at least one snack every day and at least half snack two or more times a day. Evenly distributing the amount of protein eaten throughout the day, ensuring that 30g is eaten at each meal, increases satiation and satiety and may be a simple strategy to help people adhere to their weight loss goals. The findings of this study showed that eating 30g of high-quality protein at lunch lessened the reinforcing value of highly palatable, high-calorie snack foods. This resulted in eating around 83 fewer calories which could have a substantial impact over time. This simple strategy of eating 3-5 ounces of lean meat at lunch can reduce mid-afternoon snacking and promote adherence to a weight loss diet.

Technical Abstract: High-protein, energy-restricted diets are beneficial for weight loss and weight loss maintenance; however, it is not known whether consuming a modest amount of protein in a balanced distribution throughout the day reduces the reinforcing value and energy intake of energy-dense snack foods. We aimed to assess (1) the efficacy of two patterns of protein distribution during weight loss on the reinforcing value of energy-dense snack foods relative to a reinforcing nonfood alternative (RRV) and (2) energy intake when presented with snack foods. Healthy women with overweight or obesity completed a 16-week randomized parallel study testing two patterns of daily protein intake (even distribution across three meals (EVEN) vs. a skewed distribution with most protein consumed at dinner (SKEWED)). RRV was assessed at baseline, week 8, and week 16 using a computer task two hours after a lunch corresponding with participants’ protein distribution pattern (EVEN 30g protein, SKEWED 15g protein). The RRV of energy-dense snack foods was lower in the EVEN group than in the SKEWED group at all time points. While there was no difference between groups in the amount of snacks (grams) earned, the EVEN group consumed significantly less than the SKEWED group. Lower RRV and consumption of energy-dense snack foods in the EVEN group suggest greater satiety following a lunch with 30g of protein compared to 15g as part of a dietary protein intake pattern with an even distribution throughout the day. These results may contribute to dietary guidance provided to women in support of weight loss efforts.