Meal frequency strategies for the management of type 2 diabetes subjects: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Effective nutrition management is fundamental in the comprehensive treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes. Various strategies have been explored in this regard, demonstrating their potential usefulness in improving clinical outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of meals frequency on the well-being of these patients. Methods and findings In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta–Analyses) guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched until July 10th, 2023. We included studies from the last 10 years in people with type 2 diabetes that had an intervention regarding their meal frequency. The risk of bias was evaluated based on the Cochrane tool according to the type of study. Of 77 retrieval articles, 13 studies matched our inclusion criteria. The primary focus of each study was to evaluate glycemic control as the major outcome. Studies suggest that meal frequency, time-restricted feeding, breakfast skipping, bedtime snacking, and chrononutrition practices all play roles in type 2 diabetes management and risk. Conclusions Restricting feeding to 2 to 3 meals per day and practicing time restricted feeding with less than 10 hours of daily food intake promotes weight loss and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Aligning food consumption with the body’s natural rhythm is beneficial, whereas skipping breakfast disrupts this rhythm. Snacking after evening or waiting 3–4 hours after meal helps control glucose levels, but consuming pre-bedtime snacks do not provide the same benefits. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023431785.