Nutrient Displacement Associated with Replacing Intake of Usual Snacks with Pecans: An Exploratory Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The effect of instructions to replace usual snacks with nuts on nutrient displacement is unknown.

Objectives: This analysis aimed to investigate nutrient displacement and changes in food pattern component intake that occur with instructions to consume 57 g/d of pecans in place of usual snacks in adults at increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases after 6 wk and 12 wk.

Methods: Data from a 12-wk randomized controlled trial were used for this exploratory analysis. Adults at risk of cardiometabolic diseases were provided with 57 g/d of pecans and instructed to replace habitually consumed snacks with the provided pecans. The control group was instructed to continue consuming their usual diet. Participants completed 3 24-h recalls at baseline, week 6, and week 12 for assessment of nutrient and food pattern component intake. Nutrient displacement was calculated according to a previously described method to estimate the extent to which nutrients provided by pecans displaced nutrients from other foods.

Results: At 12-wk, 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 full displacement of saturated fat occurred at week 12 in the pecan group. In the pecan group, intake of nuts and seeds [mean difference 2.3 oz-eq; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 3.6], oils (19.2 g; 95% CI: 12.6, 25.7), and total protein foods (2.3 oz-eq; 95% CI: 1.0, 3.6) increased. No other differences in food pattern components were observed. Results at week 6 were relatively consistent with those observed at 12-wk.

Conclusions: Instructions to replace usual snacks with pecans resulted in the partial displacement of energy, total fat, unsaturated fats, and fiber. Additionally, pecan consumption increased intakes of food pattern components emphasized in healthy dietary patterns.This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05071807.

Keywords: ASA24; adults; nutrient displacement; pecans; snack replacement.

FIGURE 1

The Concept of Nutrient Displacement. This nutrient displacement example focuses on energy but applies to all nutrients. The pecan supplement provides 394 kcal and is denoted in orange. The base diet is denoted in blue. Greater than 100% displacement results in a net reduction in energy intake. Full displacement occurs when 394 kcal is removed from the base diet and replaced with 394 kcal from pecans. Partial displacement indicates that some non-pecan foods were removed (<394 kcal), resulting in a net increase in energy. 0% displacement implies that participants did not remove any foods from the diet and consumed pecans in addition to their usual diet, leading to a greater net increase than partial displacement. The usual diet serves as a reference, representing a diet devoid of nuts.