People who choose a cold sandwich over a hot one are twice as likely to complete their meal with a snack.
- People who opt for a hot sandwich during the lunch break appear to be more satisfied with their meal than those who opt for a cold sandwich.
- Eating hot makes the meal feel more filling than a cold meal.
For lunch, do you prefer a hot sandwich, like “panini”, or a classic cold sandwich like “ham and butter”? If the choice seems trivial, researchers from Rutgers-Camden University in the United States suggest that it is not, especially if you pay attention to your line. In this case, it is better to favor a hot meal. The results of this work were presented on December 14 in the journal Appetite.
Choosing a cold drink encourages more snacking
People who opt for a hot sandwich during the lunch break appear to be more satisfied with their meal than those who opt for a cold sandwich. “It is unclear where exactly these expectations come fromrecognizes Maureen Morrin, professor of marketing at Rutgers–Camden University and author of the study. But it is likely that those relating to satiety linked to certain foods develop over time, after repeated episodes of consumption..”
In this study, the researchers observed that people who prefer cold sandwiches are twice as likely to supplement this meal with snacks. They examined for two weeks the details of 123 orders placed in a New York cafe that offers sandwiches to its customers. They also found that those who order a cold drink are three times more likely to buy complementary food items, such as croissants or muffins.
Eat hotter to better control your weight
To try to explain this phenomenon, the researchers looked at other studies that suggest that people feel that eating cold foods is less filling than hot foods. “The literature suggests that the serving temperature of food and beverages impacts the intensity and perception of aroma and flavorthey write. Generally speaking, as the temperature of food increases, the fats melt and enhance the release of flavor and aroma. As a result, sensory attributes are more salient for hot foods than for cold foods..”
In conclusion, the researchers note that people who pay attention to their figure and/or wish to lose weight should opt for hot sandwiches to avoid being tempted to snack. “We don’t know if people who like cold foods are heavier than those who like hot foods. But our results suggest that, knowing that hot foods and drinks tend to be more filling, people who want to control their intake should choose hot foods instead of cold foods when given the choice.”, they advise.
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