The Claim
In healthy young adults, a 54-hour ultra-processed diet with 30% energy from protein and 29% energy from carbohydrates reduces daily energy intake by 196 kcal compared to a 54-hour ultra-processed diet with 13% energy from protein and 46% energy from carbohydrates, when both diets are matched for fat, fiber, and palatability.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
When healthy young adults eat an ultra-processed diet higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates for 54 hours, they consume 196 fewer calories per day than when eating an ultra-processed diet lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates, even when both diets taste equally good and have the same fat and fiber content.
See the scientific wording
In healthy young adults, a short-term (54-hour) high-protein (30% energy), lower-carbohydrate (29% energy) ultra-processed diet reduces daily energy intake by 196 kcal compared to a normal-protein (13% energy), normal-carbohydrate (46% energy) ultra-processed diet, despite both diets being equally palatable and matched for fat and fiber, indicating that macronutrient composition directly influences voluntary food consumption.
Eating more protein makes you feel full faster and eat less because it triggers hormones that signal fullness to the brain and causes you to chew slower, giving your body more time to register that you've eaten enough.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Short-term effects of high-protein, lower-carbohydrate ultra-processed foods on human energy balance
When people ate ultra-processed meals with more protein and fewer carbs, they naturally ate about 200 fewer calories a day than when they ate ultra-processed meals with normal protein and carbs — even though both meals tasted just as good. This suggests protein content can make you feel fuller and eat less.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.