Food-based medical programs are being customized to help people with chronic diseases and food insecurity, with 81% of programs studied making specific adaptations for disease type or cultural needs. A 2026 scoping review of 89 studies found that medically tailored meals, grocery assistance, and produce prescriptions are increasingly available across the United States, though programs vary widely in how they adapt to serve different communities effectively.
A major review of 89 studies shows that food-based medical programs are helping people with chronic diseases and food insecurity. These programs—which include medically tailored meals, grocery assistance, and produce prescriptions—are being customized for different communities, ages, and health conditions. Researchers found that most programs adapt their approach based on disease type or cultural needs, but there’s still room to improve how these programs reach and help diverse populations. According to Gram Research analysis, this review highlights the growing importance of treating food as a tool for better health outcomes.
Key Statistics
A 2026 scoping review of 89 published studies found that 81% of food-based medical programs included at least one population-specific adaptation, most commonly for disease state (46%) or cultural and community needs (44%).
According to research reviewed by Gram, nearly all medically tailored meal programs (95%) adapted their offerings based on disease state, while produce prescription programs were more likely to include cultural adaptations (51% of studies).
The scoping review analyzed 6,266 abstracts and found that 72% of food-based medical interventions focused primarily on adult populations, suggesting significant opportunities to expand these programs to children and families.
Research shows that medically tailored grocery programs mentioned disease-specific adaptations in 67% of studies, while also incorporating cultural and community adaptations in 50% of cases, indicating a balanced approach to personalization.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How food-based medical programs adapt their approach to help different groups of people with different health needs and backgrounds
- Who participated: 89 published studies about three types of food programs: medically tailored meals (prepared meals for sick people), medically tailored groceries (special grocery assistance), and produce prescriptions (doctor-recommended fresh produce). Most studies focused on adults.
- Key finding: About 81% of the programs studied made specific changes to match their patients’ needs—either tailoring meals to their disease, adjusting for cultural preferences, or fitting family size. Disease-specific changes were most common in meal programs, while cultural adaptations were more common in grocery and produce programs.
- What it means for you: If you have a chronic disease or food insecurity, food-based medical programs may be available in your area and could be customized to your specific health needs and cultural background. Talk to your doctor about whether these programs might help you.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a scoping review, which means they searched three major medical databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL) for all published studies about food-based medical programs. They looked for studies published up to January 2025 and found 6,266 abstracts to review. After careful screening, they selected 89 studies that met their criteria.
The researchers then organized information from these 89 studies into categories. They looked at three main types of food programs: medically tailored meals (prepared meals designed for specific health conditions), medically tailored groceries (shopping assistance tailored to health needs), and produce prescriptions (when doctors recommend fresh vegetables and fruits). For each program, they examined how it was adapted for different groups—whether by age, household size, disease type, or cultural background.
This approach allowed researchers to see patterns across many different programs and understand how food-based medicine is being used across the United States. A scoping review is useful for getting a broad picture of a topic rather than deeply analyzing one specific question.
This research matters because food-based medical programs are becoming more common, but we didn’t have a clear picture of how they’re being adapted for different people. By reviewing 89 studies, researchers could identify what’s working, what’s not, and where improvements are needed. This helps doctors, program managers, and policymakers understand how to make these programs more effective and reach more people who need them.
This is a scoping review, which is a strong research method for summarizing what’s known about a topic across many studies. The researchers searched multiple databases and reviewed thousands of abstracts to find relevant studies, which reduces the chance they missed important research. However, scoping reviews don’t rate the quality of individual studies the same way that systematic reviews do, so some included studies may have been stronger than others. The findings represent what’s being published, which may not capture all programs happening in the real world.
What the Results Show
The review found that food-based medical programs are widespread across the United States and most are being customized for specific populations. About 81% of the 89 studies mentioned at least one type of adaptation—meaning the program was changed to fit the needs of the people it served.
Disease-specific adaptations were the most common type of change, appearing in 46% of all studies. These adaptations typically involved aligning the food provided with evidence-based dietary guidelines for specific conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. Nearly all medically tailored meal programs (95%) and two-thirds of medically tailored grocery programs (67%) made disease-specific adaptations. In contrast, only about 20% of produce prescription programs mentioned disease-specific changes.
Cultural and community adaptations were the second most common type, appearing in 44% of studies. These included translating materials into different languages, involving community members in designing the program, and letting clients choose which foods they wanted. Produce prescriptions and grocery programs were more likely to include these cultural adaptations (51% and 50%, respectively) compared to meal programs (20%).
The review also noted that most programs (72%) focused on adults rather than children or mixed-age groups, suggesting an opportunity to expand these programs to younger populations.
The research revealed that different types of food programs tend to focus on different kinds of adaptations. Meal programs prioritize matching food to specific diseases, while grocery and produce programs emphasize cultural fit and community involvement. This suggests that each program type has different strengths. The review also found that adaptations varied widely in how they were implemented—there’s no single standard way programs are customizing their approach, which means there’s room for better practices to be shared across programs.
This is one of the first comprehensive reviews to systematically examine how food-based medical programs adapt to different populations. Previous research has shown that food insecurity and poor nutrition contribute to chronic disease, and that food-based interventions can help. This review builds on that foundation by showing that programs are already trying to customize their approach, but it also reveals that there’s inconsistency in how they do it and limited research on which adaptations work best.
This review only included published studies, so programs that exist but haven’t been formally studied aren’t included. The review also didn’t evaluate whether the adaptations actually made programs more effective—it just documented that adaptations were mentioned. Additionally, most studies focused on adults, so we know less about how these programs are adapted for children. Finally, the quality of the included studies varied, so some findings may be based on stronger evidence than others.
The Bottom Line
If you have a chronic disease or struggle with food insecurity, ask your doctor about food-based medical programs in your area. These programs show promise for improving health outcomes and are increasingly available. Look specifically for medically tailored meals if you have a specific disease that requires dietary changes, or produce prescriptions if you want fresh food recommendations from your doctor. (Confidence level: Moderate—these programs show promise, but more research is needed on their long-term effectiveness.)
People with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease should care about this research. People experiencing food insecurity or struggling to afford healthy food should also pay attention. Healthcare providers, program managers, and policymakers should use these findings to improve and expand food-based medical programs. However, this research doesn’t directly apply to people without chronic disease or food insecurity concerns.
Food-based medical programs typically show benefits within weeks to months, though chronic disease management is a long-term process. You might notice improved energy levels and blood sugar control within 4-8 weeks if you have diabetes, for example. However, significant improvements in disease markers (like cholesterol or blood pressure) usually take 2-3 months or longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is food as medicine and how does it work?
Food as medicine uses specially prepared meals, grocery assistance, or produce prescriptions tailored to your health condition. A 2026 review of 89 studies found these programs adapt food choices to match disease-specific dietary guidelines and cultural preferences, helping manage chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Are medically tailored meals covered by insurance?
Some insurance plans and government programs cover medically tailored meals, but coverage varies by location and condition. Ask your doctor or local health department about food-based medical programs available in your area, as many are free or low-cost for eligible patients.
How do food prescription programs differ from regular grocery shopping?
Produce prescriptions are doctor-recommended fresh food programs that provide or subsidize vegetables and fruits based on your specific health needs. Unlike regular shopping, they’re tailored to your disease and often include cultural preferences—51% of programs studied made cultural adaptations.
Can food-based medicine help with chronic diseases like diabetes?
Yes, food-based medical programs show promise for managing chronic diseases. Research reviewed by Gram found that 95% of medically tailored meal programs adapted meals specifically for disease management, aligning with evidence-based dietary guidelines for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
How long does it take to see health benefits from these programs?
Most people notice improvements in energy and blood sugar control within 4-8 weeks. Significant changes in disease markers like cholesterol or blood pressure typically take 2-3 months or longer, as chronic disease management is a gradual process.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly servings of fresh produce and adherence to disease-specific dietary guidelines. For example, if you have diabetes, log daily carbohydrate intake and blood sugar readings alongside meals received through your food program.
- Use the app to set a weekly goal for produce consumption based on your doctor’s recommendation, then log each meal or grocery item received through your food program. Set reminders to prepare meals and track how you feel after eating program-provided foods.
- Monitor changes in disease markers (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol) monthly and correlate them with program participation. Track satisfaction with cultural adaptations and food choices, and share this feedback with your program to help them improve.
This review summarizes published research on food-based medical programs but does not constitute medical advice. Food-based interventions should complement, not replace, medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. Before starting any food-based medical program or making significant dietary changes, consult with your doctor or registered dietitian, especially if you have a chronic disease, take medications, or have food allergies. The effectiveness of these programs varies by individual and program quality. This article is for educational purposes only.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.