A new pilot study finds that primary care providers can help patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes set and start diet goals in just one visit, thanks to a simple digital tool called Nutri.
Published July 9 in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the study evaluated Nutri in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Texas. Nutri is a decision-support platform that analyzes a patient’s dietary intake, highlights top nutrition concerns and guides providers to establish realistic, personalized diet goals within a typical appointment.
“PCPs are on the front lines of diabetes care but often lack the time and training for effective nutrition counseling,” said lead author Marissa Burgermaster, PhD, assistant professor at Dell Medical School and UT Austin. “Nutri integrates into the visit workflow and supports shared decision-making, making it easier for providers and patients to set actionable dietary goals.”
Sixteen providers and 30 adult patients participated in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Providers used Nutri during 100% of eligible appointments and gave it a satisfaction rating of 3.8 out of 5, along with strong usability feedback. Most of the patients, 81%, reported setting a diet goal during the visit, and 57% began acting on it within a week.
The tool also appeared to boost providers’ confidence and skill in delivering brief nutrition counseling. Researchers see potential for Nutri to fill gaps in diet care, especially where access to dietitians is limited.
The study authors recommended a larger trial to assess whether Nutri improves long-term dietary habits and health outcomes. For now, the results suggest that “small but focused nutrition conversations during routine care can spark immediate change,” especially when supported by technology.
The study was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a federal agency that supports health research to improve care.