Twenty women were offered two energy-reduced lunches in 48 h and five similar normal-energy lunches within a week, with snacks and evening meals provided and their own standard breakfasts. The subjects were categorized as "nibblers" or "gorgers" (10 per group), by the criterion of habitual eating of "snacks" between mealtimes. Compensatory energy intake occurred in the nibblers within 5 h of the "light" lunch. In the gorgers compensation of energy intake was not reached within 48 h. We conclude that differences in short-term compensation of intake can arise from habitual snacking or its absence.