(P32-05-26) Healthy Dietary Patterns With vs Without Meat Differentially Effect Dietary Satisfaction in Adults: A Randomized Crossover Controlled Feeding Trial

Objectives: We have reported that adopting an omnivorous or vegetarian U.S.-Style Healthy Dietary Pattern (HDP) improved multiple cardiometabolic disease (CVD) risk factors among adults classified as overweight or obese. Herein, we compare the participants’ relative satisfaction while consuming these HDPs.

Methods: We assessed the effects of consuming a HDP with lean, unprocessed beef (BEEF) vs. a HDP without meat (vegetarian, VEG) on dietary satisfaction in adults classified as overweight or obese. Forty-one adults (22 females, 19 males; age 39.9 ± 8.0 y; BMI 29.6 ± 3.3 kg/m²; mean ± SD) completed two 5-week controlled feeding periods (randomized, crossover, controlled trial). In the BEEF HDP, two 3-oz (168-g) servings/d of lean, unprocessed beef were exchanged for starchy vegetables and refined grains in the VEG HDP. At intervention week 5, participants completed a 23-question dietary satisfaction questionnaire, using a 6-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from ‘Strongly Disagree’ to ‘Strongly Agree.’ Paired t-tests were used to compare BEEF vs VEG, 2-tail paired t-test; significance = p ≤ 0.05, trend = 0.05< p< 0.10.

Results: Global diet satisfaction did not differ between BEEF and VEG (p = 0.147, BEEF 36.8 ± 13.5 au, VEG 32.0 ± 17.2 au, mean ± SD). Compared to VEG, BEEF rated more tasty (p = 0.007, BEEF 4.4 ± 0.8, VEG 3.8 ± 1.1) and satisfying (p = 0.078, BEEF 4.8 ± 0.9, VEG 4.4 ± 1.3); more often craving salty foods (p = 0.077, BEEF 3.5 ± 1.6, VEG 3.1 ± 1.5 ) and less frequently unhealthy foods (p = 0.084, BEEF 4.5 ± 0.9, VEG 4.1 ± 1.2). Socially, participants rated BEEF more easily eaten at restaurants or social events (p = 0.006, BEEF 3.4 ± 1.1, VEG 3.2 ± 1.2), friends and family would enjoy eating these foods (p = 0.018, BEEF 4.2 ± 0.9, VEG 3.8 ± 1.2), and the participant would recommend this eating pattern to friends and family (p = 0.073, BEEF 4.3 ± 1.0, VEG 3.9 ± 1.1). The other 16 questions, six focused on post-study eating behaviors, did not differ between BEEF and VEG.

Conclusions: Adults who identified as omnivores and classified as overweight or obese who lowered their CVD risk after adopting HDPs perceived higher personal satisfaction and enjoyment of friends and family in social settings when the HDP included beef compared to a meatless HDP. These results are important to consider when encouraging people to adopt healthy plant-forward dietary patterns.

Funding Sources: Beef Checkoff