Researchers tested whether sending specially chosen groceries to people’s homes could help them better manage their diabetes. They worked with 101 adults who struggled to afford healthy food and had type 2 diabetes. For three months, these people received weekly boxes of foods picked to help control blood sugar, along with tips about managing diabetes. The results showed that people’s blood sugar levels improved, which is a sign that the program worked. However, the overall quality of their diets didn’t change as much as expected. This study suggests that making healthy food easier to get at home might be a helpful way to support people with diabetes who don’t have enough money for groceries.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can delivering boxes of diabetes-friendly groceries to people’s homes help them control their blood sugar better?
  • Who participated: 101 adults with type 2 diabetes who didn’t have enough money to buy healthy food. They lived in Northwest Arkansas and spoke English, Spanish, or Marshallese.
  • Key finding: People who received the grocery boxes had their blood sugar levels drop by about 0.56% on average, which is a meaningful improvement. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it wasn’t just by chance.
  • What it means for you: If you have diabetes and struggle to afford healthy groceries, getting food delivered to your home might help you control your blood sugar better. However, this was a small study, so talk to your doctor before making big changes to how you manage your diabetes.

The Research Details

This study followed a simple but effective design: researchers measured people’s blood sugar and diet quality before the program started, then gave them 12 weeks of delivered grocery boxes with diabetes-friendly foods and educational materials, and finally measured the same things again. The boxes were customized for people with type 2 diabetes and came with information about managing their condition. The researchers used math to account for differences between people, like age, gender, race, family size, education, and whether they had a job. This helps make sure the results weren’t just because of these other factors. The study was conducted from August 2021 to February 2023 in Northwest Arkansas.

This research approach is important because it tests a real-world solution to a real problem: many people with diabetes can’t afford the healthy foods they need. By delivering groceries directly to homes and pairing them with education, the study shows whether this practical approach actually works. The before-and-after design lets researchers see if people improved after getting the intervention.

This study has some strengths: it measured actual blood sugar levels (not just what people reported), it included people from different language backgrounds, and it controlled for other factors that might affect results. However, it has limitations: there was no comparison group of people who didn’t get the groceries, so we can’t be completely sure the groceries caused the improvement. The study was also relatively small and only looked at one region, so results might be different in other places.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that hemoglobin A1c—a measure of average blood sugar over three months—decreased by 0.56% after the intervention. In diabetes care, even small improvements in A1c are considered meaningful because they can reduce the risk of complications like heart disease and kidney problems. This improvement was statistically significant, meaning researchers are confident it wasn’t due to random chance. The study found this improvement even after accounting for differences in age, gender, race, education, and employment status among participants. This suggests the grocery delivery program itself was responsible for the improvement, not other factors.

Interestingly, the study measured diet quality using a standard scoring system called the Healthy Eating Index, which looks at things like vegetable intake, whole grains, and added sugars. This score didn’t change significantly after the program. This was surprising because better blood sugar control often goes along with improved diet quality. One explanation might be that the program helped people eat the right foods for diabetes management specifically, even if their overall diet pattern didn’t change dramatically on the measurement scale used.

This study adds to growing evidence that removing barriers to healthy food—like cost and availability—can help people with diabetes. Previous research has shown that food insecurity (not having enough money for food) makes it harder to manage diabetes. This study is one of the first to test whether directly delivering medically appropriate groceries helps. The results align with other programs that have shown promise in helping people with chronic diseases by making healthy choices easier.

The study didn’t have a control group—meaning there was no group of similar people who didn’t receive the groceries to compare against. This makes it harder to know for certain that the groceries caused the improvement. The study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. The study was also limited to one region and people who spoke specific languages, so results might be different in other communities. Finally, the study couldn’t measure whether people kept the improvements after the program ended.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 2 diabetes and struggle to afford healthy groceries, talk to your doctor about whether a medically tailored grocery delivery program might help you. The evidence suggests it may improve blood sugar control. Look for similar programs in your area, or ask your doctor or local food bank about options. This approach appears most helpful when combined with diabetes education and support.

This research is most relevant for people with type 2 diabetes who have limited money for groceries. It may also interest healthcare providers, food banks, and policymakers looking for ways to help people manage chronic diseases. People with other types of diabetes or without food insecurity may see different results.

In this study, improvements in blood sugar appeared over 12 weeks. Most people would likely see changes within 2-3 months of starting such a program, though individual results vary. It’s important to keep taking your diabetes medications as prescribed while trying any new food program.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your fasting blood sugar readings each morning and log them weekly in your app. Also note which diabetes-friendly meals you’re eating from your delivered groceries. This helps you see patterns between specific foods and your blood sugar response.
  • If you’re using a grocery delivery service, set a weekly reminder to plan your meals using the foods in your box before they arrive. Use your app to log what you eat from the delivery and rate how it affects your energy and blood sugar levels.
  • Check your blood sugar regularly (as your doctor recommends) and track it in your app over weeks and months. Also monitor how you feel—energy levels, thirst, and bathroom habits—as these can indicate blood sugar control. Share these trends with your doctor at regular checkups to see if your diabetes management is improving.

This research suggests that medically tailored grocery delivery may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who experience food insecurity. However, this was a single-arm study without a comparison group, so results should be interpreted with caution. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management, medications, or diet. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual results may vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.