Delish Study: Diabetes Education to Lower Insulin, Sugars, and Hunger (Delish)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- History of T2DM mellitus. If taking insulin, screening labs will include C-Peptide to rule out T1DM.
- HbA1c >= 6.5% and < 12.0% at screening.
- Experience food-related cravings most days of the week and eat in response to these cravings regularly.
- Aged 18 years old and older.
- Able to engage in light physical activity.
- Willing and able to participate in the interventions. Must be interested in following a carbohydrate- restricted diet, willing to learn about mindful eating and behavioral strategies for following prescribed diets, have sufficient control over their food intake so that they can follow either diet, and otherwise be able and willing to participate in the intervention. Intervention content must be practiced to evaluate whether it is effective.
- Have smartphone and are willing to use it on a regular basis for data collection.
- Ability to speak English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to provide informed consent.
- A substance abuse, mental health, or medical condition that, in the opinion of investigators, will make it difficult for the potential participant to participate in the intervention or that may need immediate changes in medical management that will affect study outcome measures. Such conditions may include cancer, liver failure, renal failure, untreated hypo or hyperthyroidism, or history of serious bulimia. Some other serious medical conditions that may alter key study outcomes or require other important diet modifications, including untreated hypothyroidism, renal failure, cirrhosis, and conditions requiring oral or parenteral glucocorticoid treatment.
- Pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the next 6 months, breastfeeding or less than 6 months post-partum.
- Current use of weight loss medications, such as Alli or amphetamine-based drugs that may affect weight.
- Planned weight-loss (bariatric) surgery or bariatric surgery within the past 18 months.
- Currently enrolled in a weight loss program, such as Weight Watchers or a self-help group such as Overeaters Anonymous, or have unalterable plans to enroll in one of these programs in the next year.
- Vegan or vegetarian.
- Unwilling to do home ketone monitoring.
Sites / Locations
- UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
Diet Education
Diet Education + Mindfulness
All participants will receive instruction in the carbohydrate-restricted diet (CR).The study diet has approximately 10% of kcal coming from carbohydrate, typically 50 grams/day or fewer, not including fiber. Participants will be encouraged to eat a normal amount of protein, typically about 80-100 grams/day (about 20-25% of calories), and the rest of their calories from fat. Foods that are encouraged include green leafy and other non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds, oils (especially olive oil), fish, poultry, tofu, and avocados. Other foods consistent with the diet include berries (in modest amounts), meats, eggs, and cheese. Key foods to minimize include any sugar-sweetened foods or beverages, bread, pasta, potatoes, highly processed packaged foods, and other starchy foods.
In addition to the carbohydrate-restricted diet described above, the Ed+MBI group will receive mindfulness training consisting of two integrated components: 1) use of a mindful eating app at home to learn and practice mindfulness skills for food-cravings and eating, and 2) in-person group-based meetings to discuss and troubleshoot how the mindfulness practices are working. Key mindfulness content includes helping people improve their relationship with food and control food cravings and using mindful eating approaches including paying attention, noticing habit loops, understanding brain science and food/sugar addiction, disrupting emotional and stress eating, cultivating acceptance and curiosity, lovingkindness, detaching from thoughts, using healthy restraint, and maintaining motivation.