(P15-040-24) A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Study Shows That a High-Protein Instant Ramen Noodle Breakfast Reduces Lunchtime Energy Intake

Objectives: Meals with a higher protein content promote satiety and can reduce energy intake during a subsequent meal(s). Identifying high-protein foods that reduce subsequent meal intake may enable incorporation into diets to facilitate long-term weight loss. Our objective was to test if a breakfast meal containing high-protein ramen noodles would reduce lunch time energy intake compared to an isocaloric portion of standard protein ramen noodles.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover study. Following an overnight fast, 30 men and women (age 25 – 45 y; BMI 20 – 30 kg/m²) received in random order a breakfast of 71g high-protein (320 kcal; protein 20 g (25% kcal); carbohydrates 29 g (36% kcal); fat 14 g (39% kcal) and standard ramen noodles (311 kcal; protein 6 g (8% kcal); carbohydrates 41 g (53% kcal); fat 13 g (38% kcal). After 3 hours, participants were presented with a lunch buffet consisting of macaroni and cheese, lasagna with meat and sauce, chicken fried rice, cheddar cheese dip, hummus, guacamole, corn chips, potato crisps, carrots, and celery (1529 kcal). The leftovers were covertly weighed and recorded to determine lunchtime intake of energy, macronutrients, and some micronutrients.

Results: After the high-protein ramen noodle breakfast, participants consumed significantly fewer calories (94 kcal; p< 0.04), fat (5 g, p< 0.05), and sodium (214mg, p< 0.02) during lunch compared to following the standard ramen noodle breakfast.

Conclusions: A higher protein ramen noodle meal reduces energy intake during the subsequent meal. If these findings translate to greater weight loss in a longer-term study, high-protein ramen noodles could be incorporated into a weight-loss diet.

Funding Sources: Funding received from Borealis Foods.