1. Sequence Experiment Rat given one of six course sequences
Sequence 1 – RC, OR, FL
Sequence 2 – RC, FL, OR
Sequence 3 – OR, RC, FL
Sequence 4 – OR, FL, RC
Sequence 5 – FL, RC, OR
Sequence 6 – FL, OR, RC
Counterbalanced

2. Experimental Timeline
Did the sequence in which the rats received the courses affect the total food intake?
Experimental Timeline
9:40
Remove Course 2, Present Course 3, Measure Course 2 total intake
Measure food intake
9:30
10:00
Measure food intake
Course 1
Course 2
Course 3
Present Course 1
8:00
Measure food intake
8:50
9:10
Remove Course 1, Present Course 2, Measure Course 1 total intake
10:10
Remove Course 3, Measure food intake
18 hr food
Deprivation

3. Results
So total intake in grams wasn’t affected but what about the caloric intake?

8. Composition (per gram)
Calories
Carbohydrates
(digestible)
Protein
Fat
Rat Chow
3.30
0.476
0.244
0.044
Fun Yuns
4.96
0.607
0.062
0.250
FrootLoops
3.78
0.843
0.031

10. What did we learn?
If offered 3 foods simultaneously, rats will eat to satiety on the most palatable food, eating very little of the less palatable foods.
Changing the order in which you eat food has no effect on how much you eat.
Meal sequence does have an effect on the nutritional value of what you eat in a meal