A simple meal plan emphasizing healthy food choices is as effective as an exchange-based meal plan for urban African Americans with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To compare a simple meal plan emphasizing healthy food choices with a traditional exchange-based meal plan in reducing HbA(1c) levels in urban African Americans with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 648 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive instruction in either a healthy food choices meal plan (HFC) or an exchange-based meal plan (EXCH) to compare the impact on glycemic control, weight loss, serum lipids, and blood pressure at 6 months of follow-up. Dietary practices were assessed with food frequency questionnaires.