Research Showcase Abstracts

Food intake and choices are influenced by a wide array of factors, including taste appreciation. Taste appreciation appears to be particularly important for men, and could also be a significant determinant of their levels of satisfaction postprandially.

To 1) describe the relative importance of factors influencing food choices and 2) compare taste appreciation of five foods selected for their potential health benefits.

Thirty-two men with (n=14, group 1) or without (n=18, group 2) type 2 diabetes (T2D) or prediabetes were recruited through posters and flyers. Participants were asked to rank-order 11 factors that could influence food choices. They were also offered 20g of the five foods (almonds, pistachios, avocados, boiled eggs, and oatmeal) in a random order, and were asked to rate their taste appreciation on 100mm visual analog scales. A one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests were used to compare taste appreciation of the five foods.
T-tests were used to assess differences in taste appreciation between groups.

In both groups, the most important factor influencing food choices was participants’ own taste. Food cost and recommendations of a health professional were more important in participants with T2D or prediabetes. Except for oatmeal, all foods had a mean taste appreciation >60mm. There was a significant overall difference in taste appreciation of the five foods (F=14.37, p<0.001). Almonds, pistachios, avocados, and eggs were more appreciated than oatmeal (all p<0.05), and pistachios were more appreciated than avocados (p<0.05). There was no difference in taste appreciation between groups.

Taste was reported as being the most important factor influencing food choices and, besides oatmeal, all tested foods seemed well appreciated.

As a well-recognized and important determinant of food intake and choices, taste appreciation should be taken into consideration when making dietary recommendation in clinical contexts.