The effects of a meal with and without soluble dietary fiber in the form of beta-glucan on short-term satiety and glucose response were investigated in 19 overweight subjects. Subjects consumed four isocaloric test meals consisting of a glucose solution or wheat (0 g of beta-glucan), a wheat-barley mixture (1 g of beta-glucan), or barley (2 g of beta-glucan) served as cooked cereal with low-fat strawberry yogurt. Subjects used visual analog scales (VAS) to rate their hunger, fullness, satisfaction, thirst, nausea, and drowsiness at timed intervals before and after consumption of each test meal. Blood glucose was measured periodically, and energy intake was recorded 2 hr after consumption of each test meal. In women peak glucose responses and area under the curve were significantly lower after consumption of 2 g of beta-glucan compared with consumption of 0 or 1 g of beta-glucan. VAS ratings did not significantly differ among cereals. In men no effect of beta-glucan on glucose response was observed, and beta-glucan had only a marginal effect on VAS ratings. Energy intake was not affected by beta-glucan level in either women or men. The findings indicate that acute reduction of glycemic response in overweight women requires the consumption of at least 2 g of beta-glucan per meal, and greater amounts of beta-glucan per meal may be required to achieve substantial satiety effects in overweight women and men.