Portioned meal box and counselling in nutrition both improve dietary intake compliance and help control blood sugar

"The study represents the first intervention trial to compare the effect of GCN and PMB on glycaemic control and dietary control compliance in diabetes patients," Tanu-udom Maneesing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand, and colleagues wrote in their study.

While the researchers observed that there was no significant difference in HbA1c reduction between the PMB and GCN groups, they note that this is important to consider the study findings in the broader context and explore other relevant outcomes for comprehensive evaluation of the PMB's potential as an adjunct to dietary counselling for glycaemic control.

The researchers add that, it is essential to consider participant adherence, secondary outcomes, acceptability, and potential long-term effects when assessing the overall impact of the portioned meal box intervention.

Previous studies have shown the well-established impact of dietary factors on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effectiveness of transforming portion control into a practical innovation for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes has not yet been established for counselling in nutrition.

Dr Maneesing and colleagues, therefore, aimed to compare the effect of general counselling in nutrition and a portioned meal box on fasting blood glucose, HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) and body composition in a randomised parallel intervention trial.

The study was conducted over 12 weeks with general counselling in nutrition: carbohydrate portion control concept by using food exchanges lists (n=25) and PMB: portioned meal box was set by energy requirements (n = 25).

The study revealed the following findings:

• Both GCN and PMB demonstrated reductions in HbA1c levels at the 6th and 12th weeks compared to baseline.
• No significant difference in HbA1c was observed between GCN and PMB in either the 6th or 12th week. Using PMB at least four times a week significantly decreased HbA1c during the intervention period.
• Changes in body composition were observed: body weight decrease in PMB only, body fat decrease and constant muscle mass in both groups. Both methods tended to relieve hunger and increased satiety in both groups.
• The satisfaction evaluation showed that participants preferred to use PMB over GCN.
• Additionally, participants consumed less energy, carbohydrate and fat in PMB and less energy and fat in GCN.

"Additional studies with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes may provide further insights into the potential benefits or specific subgroups that may derive greater benefits from portioned meal boxes," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Maneesing, T., Dawangpa, A., Chaivanit, P., Songsakul, S., Prasertsri, P., Yumi Noronha, N., Watanabe, L. M., Nonino, C. B., & Pratumvinit, B. (2023). Optimising blood glucose control with portioned meal box in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A randomised control trial. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1216753. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1216753