Researchers in Indonesia studied 174 people with type 2 diabetes aged 50-64 to create personalized meal plans using foods available in their local communities. Instead of recommending expensive or hard-to-find foods, scientists used a computer program to design meal plans with common local foods like tempeh, beans, and leafy greens. The study found that local foods could provide enough protein, fiber, and most vitamins needed to help manage blood sugar. However, some nutrients like calcium and zinc were still difficult to get from local foods alone, suggesting people might need fortified foods or more variety in their diets.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can doctors create better diabetes meal plans by using foods that people in a community already eat and can afford?
  • Who participated: 174 people with type 2 diabetes between ages 50-64 living in Malang, Indonesia. Researchers randomly selected participants to represent the community fairly.
  • Key finding: Local foods like tempeh, beans, corn rice, and leafy greens can provide enough of 8 important nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B12, iron, and omega-3) to help manage diabetes. However, calcium, vitamin B6, and zinc were still hard to get from local foods alone.
  • What it means for you: If you have diabetes, meal plans based on foods you already eat and can afford may be easier to follow than plans with unfamiliar or expensive foods. This could help you stick to your diet better and control your blood sugar. However, you may still need supplements or fortified foods for certain nutrients.

The Research Details

Researchers collected detailed information about what 174 people with diabetes actually ate over a week using three different methods: asking them to remember meals from the past 24 hours, having them write down one day of eating, and tracking five days of meals. They recorded everything to understand normal eating patterns. Then they used a special computer program called Optifood (created by the World Health Organization) to design meal plans using only foods commonly available and eaten in their local area. The program worked like a puzzle, fitting together local foods to meet nutritional needs for people with diabetes.

Many people don’t follow diabetes diet recommendations because suggested foods are too expensive, hard to find, or don’t match what they’re used to eating. By building meal plans from foods people already know and can access, doctors can create plans that people will actually follow. This approach respects cultural food preferences while still providing good nutrition.

This study is a snapshot of one moment in time rather than following people over months or years. The researchers used multiple ways to measure eating habits, which makes the information more reliable. The study was done in one specific area of Indonesia, so results may not apply exactly to other countries or regions with different available foods. The computer program used is well-established and created by a trusted health organization.

What the Results Show

The computer analysis showed that local foods could successfully provide enough of eight important nutrients: protein, fiber, and vitamins A, C, E, B12, plus iron and omega-3 fatty acids. Specific foods that worked well included tempeh (fermented soy), various beans, corn-based rice, leafy greens like moringa, fish like tongkol, and kepok bananas. These foods, when combined properly, could meet at least 65% of the recommended daily amounts of these nutrients. This is important because meeting 65% of recommendations is considered adequate nutrition, especially in communities where getting 100% is difficult. The study showed that using foods people already eat and can afford is possible while still meeting most nutritional needs for diabetes management.

Three nutrients remained problematic even with the best local food combinations: calcium, vitamin B6, and zinc. These nutrients were difficult to get to the 65% adequacy level using only commonly available local foods. This finding suggests that local foods alone may not be enough for complete nutrition. The study also showed that understanding what people actually eat (through the detailed food tracking) was very different from assuming what they should eat based on general recommendations.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that people follow diet recommendations better when foods match their culture and budget. Previous research suggested this approach would work, and this study provides specific evidence that it does work for diabetic patients in Indonesia. The findings support the idea that one-size-fits-all diet recommendations often fail because they don’t consider local reality.

The study only looked at one point in time rather than following people over months to see if they actually followed the meal plans and improved their health. The research was done in one specific region of Indonesia, so results may differ in other countries with different available foods. The study didn’t test whether people could actually follow these meal plans in real life or whether following them would improve their blood sugar control. The computer program created an ideal scenario, but real life is messier than computer models.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 2 diabetes, ask your doctor or nutritionist to help create meal plans using foods available in your community and that you already enjoy eating. This approach appears to work better than generic diet recommendations. However, you may still need to take supplements or eat fortified foods to get enough calcium, vitamin B6, and zinc. (Moderate confidence - based on one study in one region)

People with type 2 diabetes aged 50-64 in Indonesia or similar communities should find this helpful. Healthcare workers in developing countries or areas with limited food availability should consider this approach. People who struggle to follow standard diabetes diets because of cost or cultural preferences may benefit most. This may be less relevant for people in wealthy countries with access to a wide variety of affordable foods.

You might notice better blood sugar control within 2-4 weeks of consistently following a personalized meal plan based on local foods. However, significant improvements in diabetes management typically take 3-6 months of consistent eating habits. Long-term benefits would require following the plan for several months or longer.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log the eight nutrients that local foods can provide well (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B12, iron, omega-3) daily, and track which local foods you ate to get them. Set a goal to include at least 3-4 of these foods each day.
  • Use the app to create a weekly meal plan using only local foods available in your area. Start by identifying 5-10 local foods you enjoy that are rich in the eight nutrients mentioned. Build your meals around these foods rather than trying to find expensive or hard-to-find alternatives.
  • Track your blood sugar readings alongside your food intake to see which local food combinations work best for your body. Monitor your energy levels and how you feel week to week. Every month, review which local foods you’re eating most and whether you need to add supplements for calcium, vitamin B6, and zinc.

This research describes how meal plans can be created using local foods for people with diabetes, but it does not prove that following these plans will improve your health. Always consult with your doctor or registered dietitian before making major changes to your diet, especially if you take diabetes medications. This study was conducted in Indonesia and results may not apply to all populations or regions. Individual nutritional needs vary, and some people may need supplements or fortified foods regardless of diet changes. Do not use this information to replace professional medical advice.