September 16/San Diego/Science Letter -- Researchers detail in "Snack Selection Influences Nutrient Intake, Triglycerides, and Bowel Habits of Adult Women: A Pilot Study," new data in diet and nutrition. "Because appropriate snacking can promote a healthy body weight and serve as an important contributor to a healthy diet for women, identification of suitable foods for incorporation between meals is essential. We investigated the influence of short-term (two weeks) incorporation of 100-kcal servings of snacks of dried plums vs low-fat cookies twice daily on total energy and nutrient intake, biochemical parameters, and bowel habits in a randomized crossover design of two two-week trials separated by a two-week wash-out period in 26 women aged 25-54 years with a body mass index between 24 and 35," scientists in the U.S. report.

"Incorporation of dried plums or low-fat cookies into the diet did not alter energy intake or weight; however, compared to cookies, dried plums promoted greater (p 0.05) by dried plum consumption and was 17.0±29.2mg/dL (0.19±0.33mmol/L) higher (p

The researchers concluded, "These results suggest that relative to a commercially processed low-fat cookie snack, dried plums promote more favorable plasma triglyceride responses, improved dietary quality, and slightly improved bowel function."

Howarth and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association ("Snack Selection Influences Nutrient Intake, Triglycerides, and Bowel Habits of Adult Women: A Pilot Study," Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2010;110(9):1322-7).

For more information, contact L. Howarth, School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.

From the October 4, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition