Medically tailored meals improve diet quality and cardiometabolic health in adults with diabetes and high blood pressure

Eating well, on a schedule

A new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026 found that medically tailored meals (MTMs) — structured, health-focused food deliveries paired with nutrition education — meaningfully improved diet quality and cardiometabolic markers in adults living with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high blood pressure. Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center enrolled participants who don't yet qualify for MTMs under current criteria (i.e., no advanced complications), testing whether earlier intervention could still deliver benefits.

Participants were randomized to either a full MTM regimen (10 meals/week for 8 months) or a tapering approach (10 meals/week for 3 months, then reduced by one meal/month). Both groups also received nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, and kitchen supplies — and both groups saw comparable improvements.

By the Numbers

• Mediterranean diet score improved by 3.15 points at 8 months
• 2x increased odds of improved food security vs. baseline
• HbA1c reduced by 0.5%
• Systolic BP dropped 3.7 mmHg; diastolic BP dropped 4.1 mmHg

Why it matters: Both approaches produced similar results, suggesting a gradual dose-down strategy could make MTM programs more cost-effective and scalable — potentially expanding access to patients who could benefit before their conditions worsen.