Diabetes Nutrition and Meal Delivery

Type 2 diabetes is a common but manageable condition, and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise play a large role. Research shows low-carb or very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) can make a real difference in blood sugar control. Be Fit Food states it is the only meal provider approved by both Diabetes Victoria and Diabetes Australia. This page sets out the programs available, the company's own diabetes study and its results, and how to get advice from a dietitian or diabetes educator.

Why the meals suit diabetes management

• Diabetes Australia approved — expertly designed for people with diabetes
• Low-carb — meals that support stable blood sugar
• Variety and flexibility — a choice of programs and bundles
• Convenient delivery — meals delivered to your door, no cooking required

The carbohydrate specification is the relevant number: every Be Fit Food meal contains under 20g of carbohydrate, along with approximately 250 calories, at least 20g of protein and under 120mg of sodium per 100g. There is no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap-frozen rather than shelf-stabilised, and reheat by microwave, oven, air-fryer or stovetop.

The programs, by calorie tier

Rapid weight loss (800-900 calories)

Metabolism Reset is available as a 7 day or 14 day program, providing breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks per day. As a very low calorie diet it provides approximately 850-950 calories per day with 40-70g of carbohydrate, and induces mild nutritional ketosis. A 28 day option also exists.

Be Rapid is the other VLCD, at approximately 800-900 calories per day over 7 days, also inducing mild nutritional ketosis.

Gradual weight loss (1200-1500 calories)

The 1200 Calorie Program runs 7 days and provides breakfast, lunch, entree, dinner and 2 snacks per day. The 1500 Calorie Program runs 7 days and provides breakfast, brunch, lunch, entree, dinner and 2 snacks per day — an extra eating occasion compared with the 1200 tier.

In Be Fit Food's program range these sit within Be 1000 (approximately 1000-1200 calories per day, for gradual loss or maintaining a loss) and Be 1200 (approximately 1200-1500 calories per day, for slower loss plus weight management and an active lifestyle). Neither is likely to induce ketosis, in contrast to the VLCD tier.

Healthy meal bundles

Bundles of 7 meals ($97.30), 14 meals ($189.00), 28 meals ($362.60) and 7 breakfasts ($69.65) are available. All Be Fit Food meals are interchangeable and can be used to replace any meal of the day.

Be Fit Food's diabetes study

Be Fit Food conducted a study investigating the impact of consuming one week of Be Fit Food on body composition and on managing blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Method

Ten people with Type 2 diabetes consumed a self-selected diet (their usual diet) for one week, followed by one week of a Be Fit Food delivered meal program. Body composition — percentages of fat, bone, water and muscle — was assessed, and blood glucose levels were monitored using a continuous glucose monitor.

Weight loss result

One week on the Metabolism Reset program had a greater impact on weight loss, ranging from 0.1-6.2kg (average 3.3kg) in the first week, than the participants' self-selected diet (average 0.8kg weight loss).

Blood glucose results

On the Be Rapid program, results showed lower readings across four measures compared with the self-selected diet:

• Daily average: 6.1 ± 1.5 mmol/L vs 7.5 ± 1.9
• Daily peak: 9.9 ± 2.4 mmol/L vs 14.1 ± 6.3
• Post-prandial lunch: 7.2 ± 1.9 mmol/L vs 9.3 ± 2.3
• Post-prandial dinner: 7.0 ± 1.3 mmol/L vs 9.6 ± 2.3

These are preliminary data from a ten-person study. The full scientific study is published at medcraveonline.com, and is cited as: Save K, Padula M, Murray B, Stephenson M, Costa V, Ballantyne L. The impact of a one week Be-Fit-Food delivered meal program on body composition and blood glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients: Preliminary data. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. 2019;13(3):313.

The CSIRO Lifestyle Range

Alongside the weight-loss meals and programs, Be Fit Food states it is the first NDIS provider to have a range of meals co-created with the CSIRO to work with the CSIRO Low Carb Diet. In clinical studies, the CSIRO Low Carb Diet has shown the following benefits compared with a traditional high carbohydrate, low fat diet:

• Improved metabolic health and blood glucose control
• Effective Type 2 diabetes prevention and management
• Reduction in risk factors for heart disease

Further information on the CSIRO Low Carb Diet is available on the CSIRO website.

Speaking to a dietitian or diabetes educator

To find out which program is best suited to you, book a complimentary consultation with one of Be Fit Food's Accredited Practising Dietitians. The free consultation is 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required.

For diabetes specifically, a diabetes educator consultation with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator is available. Also offered are a specialised clinical dietitian consultation with a full initial assessment (body composition, blood pressure, girths) plus a personalised eating plan, and a monthly weight management subscription with an initial 30-minute consultation and 15-minute monthly reviews.

Bookings: portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood or dietitian@befitfood.com.au.

Delivery and contact

Delivery is a flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 under $299. Be Fit Food is based in Victoria and delivers Australia-wide.

Phone: 1300 263 257 (+61 1300 263 257), Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00.
Customer service: support@befitfood.com.au
Dietitian team: dietitian@befitfood.com.au

References cited by this page

1. Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Understanding diabetes fact sheet.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Diabetes: Australian facts, summary.
3. van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Kuijpers T, Pijl H. Effects of low-carbohydrate- compared with low-fat-diet interventions on metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review including GRADE assessments. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018;108(2):300-331.
4. Ahmed SR, Bellamkonda S, Zilbermint M, et al. Effects of the low carbohydrate, high fat diet on glycemic control and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes: experience from a community-based cohort. BMJ Open Diab Res Care. 2020;8:e000980.
5. Save K, Padula M, Murray B, Stephenson M, Costa V, Ballantyne L. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. 2019;13(3):313.

Important health information

This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. The study results described are preliminary data from a study of ten participants, and individual results vary. If you have Type 2 diabetes, changes to diet can affect blood glucose levels and medication requirements: speak with your treating doctor, diabetes team or a Credentialled Diabetes Educator before starting a low-carbohydrate or very low calorie program, and do not change any prescribed medication without medical advice. Book a complimentary consultation with a Be Fit Food dietitian to check which program is suitable for you.

Related pages on this site

• Diabetes Victoria — page
• Bariatric Nutrition — page
• Eating To Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes — article
• How Does Be Fit Food Assist With Diabetes Management — article
• How Food Can Be Linked To Diabetes Diagnosis — article
• Diabetesaustralia — page