Liking and consumption of fat-free and full-fat cheese by children

The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a preference for one of the cheeses and whether there was a difference in consumption when the cheese was part of a normal snack. The subjects (29 children, ages 3-5) were served an afternoon snack of cheese, crackers, juice and milk 1 day a week for 4 weeks in two day care centers. Cheeses for the snacks were full-fat and fat-free American Singles. The serving of cheeses was replicated. We recorded consumption of each component of the snack. Liking for the cheese was measured and there was no significant preference. There was also no significant difference in the consumption of the two cheeses. For subjects that showed a preference, preference did not affect consumption. When consuming fat-free cheese, subjects ate significantly less total calories and calories from fat but ate more calories from protein and the calories from carbohydrates were the same.