Objective: To investigate whether addition of modified guar gum (GG) to a low-energy semisolid meal might be effective on appetite by modifying the response of blood glucose and other blood parameters. Design: Three intervention periods of 2 weeks each, separated by washout periods of 4 weeks. Randomized and cross-over design. Subjects: Fifteen overweight male subjects (mean±s.d.; age, 44±9 y; body mass index, 28.6±1.8 kg/m2). Intervention: Subjects consumed a low-energy diet divided over three times a day, consisting of a semisolid meal with (SSM+) or without (SSM) addition of 2.5 g GG, or a solid meal (SM) with the same energy content (947 kJ) and macronutrient composition, plus a dinner of the subject's own choice. At the end of each intervention, time and number of meal initiations, dynamics of blood glucose and other blood parameters, and appetite ratings such as hunger and satiety were determined in a time-blinded situation. Results: The changes in blood glucose from meal initiation to blood glucose peak and from peak to nadir were smaller with SSM+ and SM compared to SSM. Satiety before the third meal was higher with SSM+ and SM compared to SSM (P<0.01). Meal pattern, general appetite and total energy intake were similar for all treatments. Conclusions: We conclude that, similar to SM, SSM+ resulted in a more moderate change in blood glucose compared to SSM and positively affected satiety before the third meal, while general appetite, total energy intake and meal pattern did not differ. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002) 56, 771-778. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601407 | 
