Abstract: A nutrition bar which incorporates protein in the form of nuggets having high levels of selected proteins. By use of the nuggets of the invention, nutrition bars are formulated to have elevated levels of protein, yet good taste and other organoleptic properties. The nuggets according to the invention include greater than 50 wt % of a non-soy protein selected from the group consisting of milk protein, rice protein and pea protein, especially between 51 wt % and 99 wt %, more preferably between 52 wt % and 95 wt %, most preferably 55 wt % or above. The milk protein is preferably whey protein. The nuggets of the invention are preferably made using an extrusion process wherein the extrusion temperature is moderated so as to avoid damage to the whey proteins and concomitant off-taste. In this preferred process according to the invention, extrusion is conducted at temperatures of from 60 to 140° C., after which the protein is dried using a belt/conveyor drier or a fluid bed drier.

Abstract: A nutrition bar which incorporates protein in the form of nuggets having high levels of selected proteins. By use of the nuggets of the invention, nutrition bars are formulated to have elevated levels of protein, yet good taste and other organoleptic properties. The nuggets according to the invention include greater than 50 wt % of a non-soy protein selected from the group consisting of milk protein, rice protein and pea protein, especially between 51 wt % and 99 wt %, more preferably between 52 wt % and 95 wt %, most preferably 55 wt % or above. The milk protein is preferably whey protein. The nuggets of the invention are preferably made using an extrusion process wherein the extrusion temperature is moderated so as to avoid damage to the whey proteins and concomitant off-taste. In this preferred process according to the invention, extrusion is conducted at temperatures of from 60 to 140° C., after which the protein is dried using a belt/conveyor drier or a fluid bed drier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food product comprising an amount of from 0.1 to 20% wt of an encapsulated satiety agent having a weight average mean particle size in the range of from 1 to 250 &mgr;m, wherein the satiety agent is encapsulated by a cross-linked encapsulation material having a degree of cross-linking of at least 20% and further wherein upon consumption of the food product by a subject the satiety agent is predominantly released from the encapsulation material in the intestines of that subject. Also provided is a method of preparing the food product. The food product is preferably a meal replacer product or a weight control product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food product comprising an encapsulated satiety agent and at least 2% wt protein, excluding any protein present as or in the encapsulated satiety agent, wherein the satiety agent is encapsulated by cross-linked encapsulation material and further wherein upon consumption of the food product by a subject the satiety agent is predominantly released from the encapsulation material in the intestines of that subject. Also provided is a method of preparing the food product. The food product may be used in a weight loss or weight control plan, e.g. such as a meal replacer or weight control product.