Brief Summary

The UPGRADE Study will examine how food-processing level and nutritional quality affect energy intake, eating rate, satiety, and glycemic response. In a randomized-order crossover design, each participant will consume three laboratory test meals: low processing/high nutritional quality, high processing/high nutritional quality, and high processing/low nutritional quality. Food intake and eating rate will be measured using a Universal Eating Monitor, alongside satiety, glycemic response, and energy intake during the remainder of the day. The study will also explore whether anxiety and nutrition insecurity influence these responses. Comparisons between participants in Israel and the United States will assess whether background Mediterranean versus Western dietary patterns modify meal responses. The high-processing, low-nutritional-quality meal is expected to result in greater energy intake and eating rate, lower satiety, and a more pronounced glycemic response. Findings will inform future trials and dietary recommendations concerning ultra-processed foods and nutritional quality.

Trial Health

On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline

23mo left

Started Sep 2026

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach

1 country

1 active site

Status

recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

2 years study duration

Study Progress5%

Sep 2026Sep 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 30, 2026

Completed

2 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2026

Completed

8 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 9, 2026

Completed

12 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 1, 2027

Expected

1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 1, 2028

Last Updated

September 9, 2026

Status Verified

August 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

August 30, 2026

Last Update Submit

September 2, 2026

Conditions

Eating Anxiety Ultra Processed Food

Keywords

EnergyAnxietyFoodEatingNutrition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

Total meal duration
Total meal duration, expressed in minutes and seconds, will be determined from the video recording as the elapsed time between placement of the meal tray on the table and the participant indicating that they have finished eating and leaving the table.
During each test meal, from placement of the meal tray on the table until the participant indicates that they have finished eating and leaves the table (approximately 5-20 minutes; assessed once per test meal).
Total energy intake in a test meal
At each laboratory visit, participants will receive one of the test meals. Total energy intake (kcal) will be calculated by subtracting the post-meal weight from the pre-meal weight of each food item, multiplying the amount consumed (g) by the item's energy density (kcal/g), and summing the energy consumed across all meal items.
During each test meal (approximately 5-20 minutes; assessed once per test meal).

Secondary Outcomes (7)

Self-reported level of satiety
At each laboratory visit: immediately before the test meal, at meal termination, and 60 minutes after meal termination (assessment period of approximately 60-80 minutes).
Blood glucose level
Measures will be taken at each lab visit at time 0 (prior to consuming the meal) and at times 30, 60 90 and 120 minutes after the meal.
Height
Once at the first laboratory visit (baseline), between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.; measurement takes approximately 5 minutes.
Weight
Once at the first laboratory visit (baseline), between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.; measurement takes approximately 5 minutes.
Anxiety
Once at the first laboratory visit (baseline); the questionnaire assesses symptoms experienced during the preceding two weeks and takes approximately 2-5 minutes to complete.
+2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (6)

Meal Sequence 1: LP-HNQ → HP-HNQ → HP-LNQ

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive the low-processing/high-nutritional-quality meal in Period 1, the high-processing/high-nutritional-quality meal in Period 2, and the high-processing/low-nutritional-quality meal in Period 3. At each laboratory visit, food intake and eating rate will be recorded using the Universal Eating Monitor; satiety, postprandial glycemic response, and subsequent dietary intake will also be assessed.