This study examined the effects of selected groups of essential amino acids (EAAs), given by gavage, on short-term food and water intake. Amino acid groups were selected on the basis of their common physiologic functions in relation to current hypotheses on the role of amino acids in food intake control, and the quantities given were based on the proportions in 1.5 g of the EAA content of albumin. The complete EAA mixture (1.5 g) suppressed food intake by an average of 60 and 37% during the 1st and 2nd h of feeding, respectively, but had no influence on feeding in the subsequent 12 h. Total daily (14 h) intake was decreased by 9%. With the exception of the aromatic amino acid (Phe + Tyr + Trp, 0.34 g) group, all groups significantly decreased food intake by a comparable magnitude (32%) during the 1st h. In this time period, rats given the EAAs, Arg + Met + Val (0.38 g), and Arg + His + Lys (0.44 g) mixtures increased their water intake, whereas intake by rats given the Phe + Tyr + Trp + Thr (0.46 g) and Ile + Leu + Val (0.45 g) mixtures was unchanged. Thus, the food intake suppression caused by EAAs was not accounted for by an equal effect of its component amino acid groups. As well, food intake suppression by amino acid groups was not explained by increased water consumption, nor was it simply related to the quantity of nitrogen provided by the treatment.