ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MACRONUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION AND PERCEIVED ENERGY LEVELS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: OBSERVATIONAL FINDINGS FROM LIFESTYLE COACHING COHORTS

This study examined the relationship between macronutrient framing and perceived energy in postmenopausalwomen. A total of 486 participants followed an identical 7-day dietary plan (~1,850 kcal/day; ~40% carbohydrate,~30% fat, ~30% protein, ≥28 g fiber/day). Cohort A was told the plan was “high-protein, low-fat/lowcarbohydrate” (HP-LF/LC), Cohort B was told it was “high-carbohydrate” (HC), and Cohort C was told it was a“balanced meal plan” without macronutrient labels. Despite identical meals, women in the “high-carbohydrate”condition reported lower perceived energy, reduced meal satisfaction, and greater post-meal drowsiness comparedwith the no-macro group. The high-protein framing group fell between the two. Mediation analysis suggested thatexpectancy effects (e.g., “carbohydrates make me tired”) partially explained these outcomes. These findingsunderscore the psychological role of dietary framing and suggest that minimizing macronutrient labels may reducenocebo effects in menopausal nutrition.