Using tailored meals to help people with diabetes and food insecurity

Food is Medicine: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Medically Tailored Meals For Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Food Insecurity

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10903741

This study is looking at how providing healthy, ready-to-eat meals can help people with type 2 diabetes who struggle to get enough food, and it also offers tips on managing their diabetes better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10903741 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of medically tailored meals on individuals with type 2 diabetes who also face food insecurity. The program delivers fully prepared meals designed by registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the specific health needs of participants. By addressing both nutritional needs and barriers to meal preparation, the study aims to improve diabetes management and reduce complications. Participants will receive education on self-management of their condition alongside meal delivery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 diabetes who experience food insecurity.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have diabetes or do not experience food insecurity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve diabetes control and reduce complications for individuals facing food insecurity.

How similar studies have performed: While medically tailored meal programs have gained attention, this research represents a novel full-scale trial specifically targeting diabetes outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.