Meal Replacements for Weight-Related Complications in Type 2 Diabetes: What Is the State of the Evidence?

Jarvis C Noronha; Cyril Wc Kendall; John L Sievenpiper

doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.875535

Meal Replacements for Weight-Related Complications in Type 2 Diabetes: What Is the State of the Evidence?

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Jul 28:13:875535. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.875535. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jarvis C Noronha^{1

2}, Cyril Wc Kendall^{1

3}, John L Sievenpiper^{1

4

5

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Toronto 3D (Diet, Digestive Tract and Disease) Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
⁴ Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁶ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Michael's Hospital Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Comprehensive lifestyle management is a fundamental aspect of diabetes care. Clinical practice guidelines for the nutritional management of diabetes have evolved considerably over the last 25 years shifting from a focus on single nutrients to food- and dietary pattern-based recommendations. Use of meal replacements as a temporary short-term strategy to induce weight loss and then transitioning to a healthier dietary pattern (e.g., Mediterranean or Portfolio) for weight loss maintenance fits well with this new shift in focus of clinical practice guidelines. As adherence is the most important determinant for attaining the benefits of any diet, health professionals should recommend evidence-based dietary patterns (including meal replacements) that align best with the patient's values, preferences, and treatment goals.

Keywords: cardiometabolic risk factors; diabetes; dietary patterns; lifestyle intervention program; meal replacement.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / therapy
Diet
Humans
Life Style
Weight Loss