Experiment 1 was designed to test the effect of ethanol vs. saline on the rats’ preference for the HFD compared to the LFD. Rats (N = 12) were matched for weight and given daily injections of ethanol 10% v/v (1 g/kg i.p.) or saline for 21 days. During the next 4 days, they were injected with ethanol or saline (n = 6/group) as before but were additionally given a 2-h meal test at dark onset with lab chow removed. For the next 2 days after that, they were given both HFD vs. LFD ad libitum for 24 h and their intake was measured to determine their relative preference for the two diets.
