(P13-024-25) Nutrient Displacement Associated With Replacing Intake of Usual Snacks With Pecans: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: The effect of instructions to replace usual snacks with pecans on nutrient displacement is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to investigate nutrient displacement and changes in food group intake that occur with instructions to consume 57 g/day of pecans in place of usual snacks for 12 weeks in adults at increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases. We hypothesized that the pecan group would exhibit partial or full energy and nutrient displacement and would have higher intake of nuts and seeds and oils along with lower intake of added sugars and solid fats, reflecting replacement of typical snacks with pecans, compared to the usual diet group.

Methods: Data from a 12-week single-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial were used for this analysis. Participants who were at risk for cardiometabolic diseases were provided with 57 g/day of pecans and instructed to replace the snacks usually consumed with the provided pecans. The control group was instructed to continue consuming their usual diet. Participants completed three 24-hour dietary recalls at baseline and at week 12 for assessment of nutrient and food group intake. Nutrient displacement was calculated according to a previously described method to estimate the extent to which nutrients provided by pecans displaced nutrients from non-pecan foods.

Results: At week 12, partial nutrient displacement occurred for energy (84%; 331 ± 47.8 kcal), total fat (55%; 22.6 ± 0.50 g), monounsaturated fat (47%; 10.9 ± 0.23 g), polyunsaturated fat (46%; 5.71 ± 0.07 g), and fiber (60%; 3.29 ± 0.03 g) in the pecan group. Nutrient displacement >100% was observed for carbohydrates (343%; 27.1 ± 0.12 g) and protein (220%; 11.4 ± 0.04) and full displacement of saturated fat occurred in the pecan group. Compared to the usual diet group, the pecan group increased intake of nuts and seeds (mean difference [MD] 2.3 oz eq; 95% CI 1.0, 3.6), oils (MD 19.2 g; 95% CI 12.6, 25.7), and total protein foods (MD 2.3 oz eq; 95% CI 1.0, 3.6) increased. No other food group changes were observed.

Conclusions: Instructions to replace usual snacks with pecans caused partial nutrient displacement resulting in net increases in energy, total fat, unsaturated fatty acids and fiber. In addition, increased intake of food groups aligned with a healthy dietary pattern was observed with pecan intake.

Funding Sources: American Pecan Council, NIH