Researchers studied 46 women trying to lose weight to see if their preference for sweet foods would change. The women followed either a regular diet or an intermittent fasting plan for 12 weeks and successfully lost weight. Surprisingly, their taste preferences for sweet foods remained almost exactly the same throughout the study, even though their bodies changed significantly. This suggests that how much we like sweet foods is a stable part of who we are—like our height or eye color—rather than something that automatically changes when we lose weight. Understanding this could help people design better weight loss plans that work with their natural preferences instead of fighting against them.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people’s preference for sweet-tasting foods changes when they lose weight through dieting.
  • Who participated: 46 women, average age 35 years old, who were overweight or obese. They were randomly split into two groups following different eating plans for 12 weeks.
  • Key finding: Sweet food preferences stayed remarkably stable throughout the weight loss process. Women maintained their relative preference for sweets compared to other participants, with consistency scores ranging from moderate to excellent (ICC values: .564 to .900).
  • What it means for you: If you love sweet foods, losing weight probably won’t change that preference. Rather than trying to eliminate your sweet tooth, successful weight loss strategies might work better if they accept your natural taste preferences and find healthier ways to satisfy them.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Researchers randomly assigned 46 women to one of two different weight loss approaches: continuous calorie restriction (eating fewer calories every day) or intermittent energy restriction (eating normally some days and restricting calories on others). Both groups aimed to lose at least 5% of their body weight over 12 weeks.

The researchers measured sweet food preferences using a validated tool called the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFPQ), which is a well-established method that asks people about their preferences for different foods. They measured preferences at three time points: before starting the diet, after 2 weeks, and after the full 12-week intervention.

To determine if preferences stayed stable, researchers used a statistical method called intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), which essentially measures how consistent someone’s preferences were compared to the group as a whole. Think of it like ranking students by height—if you’re the 10th tallest student at the start of the year, you’ll likely still be around 10th tallest at the end, even though everyone may have grown.

This research approach is important because it directly tests whether taste preferences are changeable or fixed. By measuring the same people multiple times during an intervention, researchers can see what actually happens to preferences in real-world weight loss situations. Using a validated measurement tool (LFPQ) ensures the results are reliable and comparable to other studies.

This study has several strengths: it used a randomized design (reducing bias), included validated measurement tools, had clear outcome measures, and followed participants through the entire intervention. The moderate sample size (46 women) is reasonable for this type of study. One limitation is that it only included women, so results may not apply equally to men. The study was relatively short (12 weeks), so we don’t know if preferences might change over longer periods.

What the Results Show

Both diet groups successfully lost weight—the continuous calorie restriction group lost an average of 4.93 kg (about 11 pounds) and the intermittent fasting group lost 4.42 kg (about 9.7 pounds). Both groups also lost significant amounts of body fat (3.67 kg and 3.04 kg respectively). These weight losses were substantial and meaningful for health.

Despite these significant physical changes, sweet food preferences remained virtually unchanged. When researchers looked at how consistent each person’s preferences were, they found strong stability. For single measurements, the consistency scores ranged from .564 to .750 (moderate to good), and when looking across all three measurement points, scores ranged from .795 to .900 (good to excellent). These high numbers mean that if someone preferred sweet foods at the beginning, they still preferred them at the end, and their ranking compared to other participants stayed about the same.

The study found no significant differences between the two diet approaches—both continuous and intermittent restriction produced similar results in terms of weight loss and preference stability. This suggests that how you lose weight (steady vs. intermittent) doesn’t affect whether your taste preferences change.

The researchers noted that while sweet preferences showed strong overall stability, there was some day-to-day variation in how much people liked sweet foods. However, this variation was small compared to the overall consistency. The findings suggest that sweet taste preferences have ’trait-like’ characteristics, meaning they’re more like personality traits that stay relatively constant rather than states that change easily.

Previous research has shown that taste preferences influence what people eat and the quality of their diets. This study adds important new information by showing that these preferences don’t automatically change during weight loss. This challenges the assumption that successful dieting requires changing your fundamental taste preferences. Instead, it suggests that people maintain their natural preferences even when making significant lifestyle changes.

The study only included women, so we don’t know if men would show the same pattern. The 12-week timeframe is relatively short—preferences might change over longer periods (months or years). The study didn’t measure whether people actually ate fewer sweets despite maintaining their preferences, only whether they liked them. The sample size, while adequate, was moderate, so results should be confirmed in larger studies. The study didn’t examine whether factors like age, ethnicity, or baseline BMI affected preference stability differently.

The Bottom Line

If you’re trying to lose weight and love sweet foods, accept this as part of who you are rather than something to fight against (moderate confidence). Instead of eliminating sweets, consider: choosing naturally sweet foods like fruit, using smaller portions of sweet treats, or finding lower-calorie sweet options. Work with your preferences rather than against them (moderate to good confidence based on this evidence).

Anyone attempting weight loss, especially those who struggle with sweet cravings, should find this encouraging. Dietitians and weight loss counselors should consider this when designing personalized plans. People who feel guilty about liking sweets can understand this is a stable preference, not a personal failing. This may be less relevant for people with specific medical conditions requiring strict sugar avoidance (like diabetes), though the principle of working with preferences still applies.

This study shows that preferences don’t change during a 12-week weight loss period. You shouldn’t expect your sweet tooth to disappear as you lose weight. However, you may find that your actual sweet food consumption decreases through portion control and substitution, even if your preference remains the same. Realistic expectations: preference stability within weeks, behavioral changes possible within days to weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your actual sweet food intake (portions and frequency) separately from your preference ratings. Rate your preference for sweets on a 1-10 scale weekly, then compare it to your actual consumption. This helps you see that you can manage intake even when preferences stay constant.
  • Instead of trying to eliminate sweets, set a goal to substitute one regular sweet treat with a naturally sweet alternative (like fruit) or a lower-calorie option daily. Log both your preference rating and what you actually ate to build awareness of the gap between preference and behavior.
  • Weekly: Rate sweet preference (1-10 scale) and log sweet food intake. Monthly: Review trends to see if your preference rating stays stable while your intake decreases. This reinforces that preference stability is normal and that behavior change is still possible. Track weight loss separately to show progress despite stable preferences.

This research suggests that sweet food preferences remain stable during weight loss, but individual responses may vary. These findings should not replace personalized advice from a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or weight loss specialist. If you have specific health conditions, take medications affecting taste, or have concerns about your diet, consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes. This study was conducted in women and may not apply equally to all populations. Weight loss should always be pursued under appropriate medical guidance.