Sequence Experiment Rat given one of six course sequences Sequence 1 – RC, OR, FL Sequence 2 – RC, FL, OR Sequence 3 – OR, RC, FL Sequence 4 – OR, FL, RC Sequence 5 – FL, RC, OR Sequence 6 – FL, OR, RC Counterbalanced
Experimental Timeline Did the sequence in which the rats received the courses affect the total food intake? Experimental Timeline 9:40 Remove Course 2, Present Course 3, Measure Course 2 total intake Measure food intake 9:30 10:00 Measure food intake Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Present Course 1 8:00 Measure food intake 8:50 9:10 Remove Course 1, Present Course 2, Measure Course 1 total intake 10:10 Remove Course 3, Measure food intake 18 hr food Deprivation
Results So total intake in grams wasn’t affected but what about the caloric intake?
Composition (per gram) Calories Carbohydrates (digestible) Protein Fat Rat Chow 3.30 0.476 0.244 0.044 Fun Yuns 4.96 0.607 0.062 0.250 FrootLoops 3.78 0.843 0.031
What did we learn? If offered 3 foods simultaneously, rats will eat to satiety on the most palatable food, eating very little of the less palatable foods. Changing the order in which you eat food has no effect on how much you eat. Meal sequence does have an effect on the nutritional value of what you eat in a meal