Soy protein snacking study

A new study published in the latest edition of The Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of a protein-rich afternoon snack containing soy protein resulted in reductions in appetite, a greater delay in subsequent eating, and improved diet quality in teens compared to other snack options.

The study, titled, “Protein Snacks Improve Appetite and Diet Quality in Teens,” is the first study of its kind to examine whether replacement of a high fat / high sugar snack with a healthier version would lead to improvements in obesity-related outcomes in overweight young people. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri in collaboration with DuPont Nutrition & Health.

“Standard meals tend to go to the wayside for kids this age – particularly from mid-afternoon to late evening – and many of the convenient ‘grab-and-go’ snacks are high in fat and sugar,” says Heather Leidy, Ph.D., assistant professor, department of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology at the University of Missouri and lead researcher of the study. “Adding protein snacks in the afternoon could be a good strategy for individuals who are trying to eat more protein throughout the day.”