Pregnant women who struggle to afford food often develop gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Researchers tested a new program called Fresh Funds for Moms that gave pregnant women $200 per month for 12 weeks to buy healthy groceries online. Fourteen women completed the program and used almost all their money. They bought more fruits and vegetables and less meat as time went on. Their blood sugar and blood pressure improved slightly, though the changes weren’t huge. The program worked well and shows promise for helping pregnant women make healthier food choices, but researchers need to test it with more women to be sure it really helps.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can giving pregnant women money specifically for healthy groceries help them eat better and manage blood sugar problems?
  • Who participated: 14 pregnant women (between 5-7 months pregnant) who didn’t have enough money for food and had either gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure. They lived in Kentucky and had access to online grocery delivery.
  • Key finding: Women spent almost all the money they received (96% of it) on groceries. They bought more fruits and vegetables over the three months (going from 27% to 31% of purchases) and bought less meat. Their blood sugar and blood pressure went down slightly, though the improvements weren’t dramatic.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant, struggling financially, and have blood sugar or blood pressure problems, a grocery assistance program might help you buy healthier foods. However, this was a small test, so we need more research to know how well it works for everyone.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test to see if an idea could work before doing a bigger study. Researchers recruited pregnant women from one hospital system in Kentucky who met specific requirements: they had to be between 20-28 weeks pregnant, not have enough money for food, have diabetes or high blood pressure, and live where online groceries could be delivered. The women received $200 each month for three months (total of $600) to spend on groceries through an online shopping platform. Researchers tracked what they bought and how much money they spent on different types of food. They also checked their blood sugar levels and blood pressure at the start and end of the program. The women also answered questions about their experience using the program.

Testing a program with a small group first is smart because it helps researchers figure out if the idea actually works before spending money on a big study. This approach lets them find problems (like confusing website instructions) and fix them. It also shows whether pregnant women will actually use the program and if it helps their health.

This was a small study with only 14 women who finished the program, so we can’t be completely sure the results would work for everyone. The researchers didn’t have a comparison group (a group that didn’t get the money) to compare against, which would have made the study stronger. However, the study did show that the program is possible to run and that women liked it, which is valuable information for planning bigger studies.

What the Results Show

Almost all the women (96%) used the money they received to buy groceries, which shows they found the program helpful and easy to use. Over the three months, women gradually changed what they bought. In the first month, they spent 27% of their money on fruits and vegetables, but by month three, that went up to 31%. At the same time, the amount they spent on meat products dropped from 31% to 22%. The money spent on pantry items (like canned goods and pasta) stayed about the same at around 4% each month. This shows that the program helped women shift toward buying more fresh produce. Blood sugar levels and blood pressure improved slightly in most women, though the improvements were small. The researchers didn’t see big changes in HgbA1c (a test that shows average blood sugar over three months), which is the main way doctors check if diabetes is controlled.

Women reported being satisfied with the program overall and appreciated having help buying food. However, some women said the online grocery website was confusing when they tried to use their benefits. Several women also wanted more choices in what foods were available for delivery. These comments are helpful because they show what needs to be fixed before running a bigger program. The fact that women used almost all their money suggests they really needed the help and found the program valuable.

Other programs that give money for healthy food have worked well for people with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. This study is one of the first to try this approach specifically with pregnant women who have food insecurity. Previous research shows that when people don’t have enough money for food, they’re more likely to develop gestational diabetes and have worse pregnancy outcomes. This program fits with the idea that ‘food is medicine’ and that helping people access healthy food can prevent or manage disease.

The biggest limitation is that only 14 women finished the program out of 20 who started, and only 20 women were referred out of 1,163 screened. This means the results might not apply to all pregnant women. There was no control group (women who didn’t get the money) to compare against, so we can’t be sure the improvements came from the program or from other things happening in the women’s lives. The study only lasted three months, so we don’t know if the benefits continue after the money runs out. The study was done in one hospital system in Kentucky, so results might be different in other places. Finally, the improvements in blood sugar weren’t very large, so we need a bigger study to see if this program really helps manage gestational diabetes.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a pregnant woman with food insecurity and gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, ask your doctor about grocery assistance programs in your area. This program shows promise, but it’s still being tested. The evidence suggests it may help you buy healthier foods, though we need more research to confirm it helps control blood sugar. Confidence level: Moderate (this is a small pilot study, so results are promising but not definitive).

This research is most relevant for: pregnant women who struggle to afford food and have gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure; healthcare providers looking for ways to help pregnant patients with food insecurity; hospitals and clinics planning nutrition programs; and public health officials designing food assistance programs. This research is less relevant for pregnant women who don’t have food insecurity or don’t have blood sugar problems.

In this study, women started buying more fruits and vegetables within the first month and continued improving through month three. Blood sugar and blood pressure improvements appeared gradually over the 12 weeks. However, we don’t know how long these benefits last after the program ends. You should expect to see changes in your shopping habits within a few weeks, but it may take several weeks to see health improvements in blood sugar or blood pressure.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the percentage of your grocery budget spent on fruits and vegetables each week. Set a goal to increase this percentage by 5-10% each month. Also track your blood sugar readings if you have a glucose monitor, noting any downward trends over weeks.
  • Use the app to plan your online grocery orders before shopping. Create a list of healthy foods you enjoy and set reminders to add more produce to each order. Track which healthy foods you actually buy and use, so you learn what works for your family.
  • Weekly: Log what percentage of your grocery purchases are fruits and vegetables. Monthly: Review your average blood sugar readings and blood pressure if you monitor at home. Quarterly: Assess whether your eating habits have shifted toward healthier choices and whether you’re maintaining the improvements.

This research describes a small pilot program and should not be considered definitive medical advice. If you are pregnant and have gestational diabetes, food insecurity, or high blood pressure, please work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized nutrition and health plan. Grocery assistance programs may be helpful, but they work best as part of comprehensive prenatal care. Always consult your doctor before making significant changes to your diet or health routine during pregnancy. This study is preliminary and larger research is needed to confirm the benefits of this type of program.