Nutrition Education and Support for Pregestational Diabetes

(NOURISH Trial)

This trial aims to assist pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who face food insecurity, meaning difficulty accessing enough nutritious food. The researchers seek to determine if weekly home delivery of healthy food, combined with education on managing diabetes and nutrition through the Dining with Diabetes (DWD) program, can enhance pregnancy outcomes. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving food deliveries and education, and the other receiving standard care with access to community resources. Ideal candidates for this trial are pregnant women with diabetes who experience food insecurity and can participate in the food delivery program. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to access supportive resources that may improve health outcomes during pregnancy.

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions specific criteria related to certain diabetes medications, so it's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team.

Research has shown that the treatments in the NOURISH trial are generally safe and well-tolerated. The Mid-Ohio Food Farmacy program, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to participants, has demonstrated positive health results and is considered safe. This program has been linked to better health for people with diet-related conditions, with no reports of major side effects.

For the nutrition education component, called Dining with Diabetes, studies indicate that this program is safe and beneficial. Participants have experienced improvements in their diabetes health and lifestyle habits, demonstrating that the education effectively manages diabetes without causing harm.

Unlike the standard care for pregestational diabetes, which typically involves medication and general dietary guidelines, the Dining with Diabetes (DWD) program offers a comprehensive approach by combining nutrition education with direct access to healthy foods. Participants in this trial receive home deliveries of nutritious produce through the Mid-Ohio Farmacy program, which helps ensure they have the resources needed to follow dietary recommendations. Researchers are excited about this approach because it addresses the practical challenges of maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, potentially leading to better health outcomes for both the mother and baby.

Research has shown that programs like the Mid-Ohio Farmacy, which provide fresh fruits and vegetables, improve health for people with diabetes. In this trial, the intervention group will receive home delivery of healthy food through the Mid-Ohio Farmacy program. Studies have found that regular access to healthy food can help control blood sugar levels. Additionally, learning about nutrition through programs like Dining with Diabetes is linked to better health and lifestyle changes for people with diabetes. Specifically, pregnant women with diabetes who received nutrition education experienced better pregnancy outcomes. This trial will assess whether combining access to healthy food with nutrition education improves health for pregnant women with diabetes.¹³⁴⁶⁷