Research paper
Barr SB, Wright JC. Postprandial energy expenditure in whole-food and processed-food meals: implications for daily energy expenditure. Food Nutr Res. 2010 Jul 2;54. doi:10.3402/fnr.v54i0.5144
Why we cite it
Crossover study in 17 healthy subjects comparing postprandial energy expenditure after isoenergetic meals matched for macronutrient composition but differing in processing level. A whole-food cheese sandwich (multi-grain bread, cheddar cheese) produced nearly twice the thermic effect as a processed-food sandwich (white bread, processed cheese product): 137 kcal (19.9% of meal energy) vs. 73.1 kcal (10.7%). No difference in subjective satiation. Demonstrates that food processing level affects the metabolic cost of digestion independent of caloric content and macronutrient ratios. Over time, this ~50% reduction in thermic effect from processed foods could meaningfully contribute to positive energy balance and weight gain.
About the author
**Sadie B. Barr** — BA Biology (Pomona College, Class of 2009). At time of paper: undergraduate student conducting HHMI-funded research under Wright's supervision. Later MPH (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg), MBA (Johns Hopkins Carey). Career moved into applied nutrition: Revolution Foods, Seed Health, independent R&D/strategy consulting. Not an academic researcher. This paper achieved an Altmetric score of 528 (top 5% of all research outputs) — remarkably high-impact for an undergraduate project.
**Jonathan C. Wright** (1961–2019) (senior author/PI) — BA Honours Zoology, MA, DPhil (Oxford, 1984–88; thesis on cryptobiosis in tardigrades). Professor of Biology, Pomona College (1998–2019). William A. Hilton Zoology Professor (endowed chair, 2010). Two-time Wig Distinguished Professor Award winner (Pomona's highest teaching honor). Supervised ~70 undergraduate researchers. Core research was ecophysiology of terrestrial isopods and tardigrades — this nutrition paper was outside his area but leveraged his expertise in respirometry/indirect calorimetry. 43 publications, ~924 citations, h-index 17. Passed away December 2019, age 58.