Not all macronutrients are created equal: Calories influence preference but only in high-fat foods

The prevailing view is that humans are drawn to energy-rich foods. This idea has recently been challenged by evidence that energy density and choice do not associate in energy-rich foods (>1.75 kcal/g). To determine whether this insensitivity is observed in different food types, participants (N= 22) physically ranked three sets of 16 foods (120 kcal) that differed in composition; calories derived from fat, carbohydrate (carb), or ∼50% fat and ∼50% carb. In addition, preference was quantified by measuring hand grip force. Participants showed greater willingness to work for high carb foods; however, this trend failed to reach significance. To assess evidence for discrimination of energy density, for each participant and each set, we calculated a beta (β) weight that related energy density to preference. Remarkably, energy density only influenced the ranking of high-fat foods (mean β= -0.91, p= .018). Our results failed to confirm a recent claim that high fat+carb foods are especially valued, but they were consistent with evidence that calories from fat are discriminated (influence choice) more so than calories from carb. Together, these findings have the potential to inform the design of foods that assist healthy weight management.