How Texture Helps Limit Food Intake

Large portion sizes and high-calorie foods share much of the blame for overconsumption. Finding the right balance between food quality and quantity can be difficult. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests texture also plays a role in consumption.
 
Study subjects were given a bowl of rice pudding for breakfast. Some were a thinner consistency and some were thicker. Researchers also varied the portion size. On average, the thicker texture reduced the rate of consumption by 45% compared to pudding with a thinner consistency, but the thicker pudding contained 77% more calories.
 
Although the thicker pudding was more calorie-dense, the serving was consumed at a slower rate leading to an 11% reduction in food weight, the equivalent of 13% fewer calories. A portion size 50% smaller also reduced caloric consumption by 13%.