Overview
This study plans to learn more about how different types of snacks may affect brain processes relating to eating behaviors during a diet intervention.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 25-45 years old
- BMI at least 27 kg/m2
- Comfortable completing a weight-loss intervention\\
- Willing to consume a daily snack of either walnuts or pretzels
Exclusion Criteria:
- Nut or wheat allergy
- History of bariatric surgery
- Current eating disorder
- Current illicit substance use
- Current pregnancy, lactation (or less than 3 months after stopping lactation), or less than 6 months postpartum
- Uncontrolled hypertension (\>160/100 mmHg)
- Significant endocrine/metabolic disease kidney disease, liver disease, or blood disease that would be anticipated to affect study results
- Taking injectable medications, sulfonylureas, or meglitinides for diabetes treatment
- Taking weight-loss medications, or steroids within \~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists)
- Significant mental health changes within \~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., medication adjustments, new psychiatric diagnoses, hospitalization relating to mental health concerns)
- Neurological illnesses or injury that would be anticipated to affect MRI data
- Weight change greater than 10% within 3 months prior to study participation
- Currently participating in another weight-loss study
- Not comfortable eating the study-provided meals (with allowances for dietary preferences) and/or following a highly restrictive diet (e.g., vegan)
- MRI-specific exclusion criteria (e.g., metal in the body, weight \>500 lbs
