In the study, conducted by researchers at Purdue University and supported by a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grant, 24 normal weight adult subjects consumed seven types of snacks – peanuts, peanut butter, almonds, chestnuts, chocolate, pickles and rice cakes. Snacks were matched for calorie levels, volume or weight.
After eating the peanuts and peanut butter snacks, subjects experienced a significantly larger reduction of hunger as compared to the pickle and rice cake snacks, which were matched on weight or volume. More importantly, subjects reported a slower return of hunger after eating the peanut snacks.
Dr. Richard Mattes, Professor, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University notes that, “A snack of peanuts or peanut butter has a high satiety value and may not promote over consumption of calories.”
The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutrition research and develops educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles.