Meal showdown: 3 meals vs 5 meals for diabetes control

NCT ID NCT04127994

First seen Apr 02, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 10 times

Summary

This study looked at whether eating three low-calorie meals a day is better than five smaller meals for people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese. Fifty participants followed one of the two meal plans for 11 weeks. Researchers measured blood sugar changes, weight, and other health markers to see which approach worked best.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2 are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán ''INCMNSZ''

    Mexico City, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

low-calorie diet (3 meals vs 5 meals)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could show that eating three meals a day is better for blood sugar control and weight loss than five smaller meals for people with type 2 diabetes.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The difference between meal patterns might be small or not meaningful.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obesity obesity disorder Overweight type 2 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.