City Research Online

Abstract

A key component of mindful eating is paying attention to the sensory properties of one’s food as one eats (‘sensory eating’). Some studies have found this reduces subsequent food intake whilst others have failed to replicate these effects. We report four laboratory studies that (a) examine effects of sensory eating on subsequent intake, and (b) explore potential mechanisms of action. In each study, participants ate a small high calorie snack with or without sensory eating and, 5-15 minutes later, were given larger snack portions from which they could eat freely. Sensory eating reduced intake of the second snack and could not be explained by increased sensory-specific satiety or priming of health-related goals. However, this effect disappeared when we controlled eating rate for the first snack. Given evidence that slower eating increases satiation and reduces intake, we conclude that sensory eating reduces intake by slowing eating rate. Exploratory analyses also revealed that (among non-dieters) effects of sensory eating were pronounced when participants reported higher hunger. Thus, for weight management, sensory eating may be most beneficial for those who are naturally fast eaters and/or in situations where people are inclined to eat more quickly, for example when hungry or in a hurry.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	©American Psychological Association, 2025. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/xap0000530
Publisher Keywords:	mindfulness, sensory eating, epicurean eating, food intake, eating rate
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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