Assessing the Effect of a Food Voucher on the Dietary Intake of Patients with Diabetes Using the Canadian Diet History Questionnaire III: A Randomized Control Trial

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Even modest grocery vouchers helped participants increase whole fruit intake and reduce refined grain consumption.

These results underscore the need for sustained, scalable FIM programs to achieve clinically meaningful results.

Pairing financial support with nutrition education or coaching could enhance the effectiveness of FIM strategies.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a monthly $65 grocery voucher on the dietary intake of low-income individuals with diabetes or prediabetes in Canada. Using the Canadian Diet History Questionnaire III, researchers found that voucher recipients consumed significantly more whole fruit and fewer refined grains compared to the control group. However, there were no substantial differences in overall diet quality, nutrient intake, or biomarkers such as hemoglobin A1c, beta-carotene, and ascorbic acid. The Healthy Eating Food Index scores were slightly higher among voucher recipients, but the differences were not statistically significant. The study was limited by a small sample size and potential underreporting in dietary surveys. Overall, the findings suggest modest dietary improvements from food vouchers, particularly in fruit and grain choices, but larger studies are needed to confirm long-term health impacts.