Feasibility and Efficacy of a Plant-Based Nutrition Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes in a Primary Care Setting (AJLM Volume 20, Issue 8)

This activity reviews the implementation and outcomes of a 12-week plant-based nutrition intervention designed for adults with type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting. Participants attended weekly online group sessions and were encouraged to follow a plant-based dietary pattern, with outcomes including body weight, HbA1c, cholesterol levels, and medication use evaluated over the course of the program. 

Learners will explore the feasibility, accessibility, and clinical impact of incorporating plant-based nutrition interventions into diabetes management. The study findings demonstrate significant improvements in glycemic control, weight reduction, lipid profiles, and decreased reliance on diabetes medications, highlighting the potential role of lifestyle-based approaches in the treatment of type 2 diabetes within routine primary care practice. 

This activity expires November 3, 2027, at 11:59 PM PST.    

Learning Outcomes

After completing this activity, learners will be able to: 

  1. Evaluate the feasibility, economic viability, and structure of a self-paid online group-based plant-based nutrition education program for patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care settings. 
  2. Analyze clinical improvements in glycemic control (HbA1c), weight management, and lipid parameters (Total/LDL cholesterol) following a 12-week low-fat plant-based dietary intervention, accounting for baseline dietary patterns and medication usage. 
  3. Formulate clinical management strategies for adjusting diabetes medications and monitoring potential adverse events (such as hypoglycemia) during intensive dietary modifications in lifestyle medicine practice. 

Activity Format

This activity consists of ​1​ AJLM article and ​1​ hour of content.  

Target Audience

This activity is applicable for interprofessional healthcare team including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, registered dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, other health professionals working with chronic disease prevention or treatment, certified health coaches, and clinicians in training.  

Learning Objectives

After studying the article, learners will be able to:

  1. Identify the clinical efficacy of a 12-week low-fat plant-based dietary intervention on HbA1c reduction and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, specifically differentiating outcomes based on baseline dietary status. 
  2. Distinguish lipid panel changes (Total and LDL cholesterol) in patients transitioning to a plant-based diet while accounting for baseline statin/lipid-lowering therapy and GLP-1 receptor agonist use. 
  3. Assess clinical workflow strategies for managing medication de-escalation and anticipating acute risks (e.g., hypoglycemia) when patients with diabetes adopt dietary interventions. 
  4. Analyze the practice economics, financial viability, and structure of self-pay group-based medical nutrition education models relative to standard Medicare MNT limits and insurance copays. 

Activity summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-physicians)

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Activity opens: 
10/13/2026
Activity expires: 
11/03/2027
Cost:
$40.00
  • Brenda Rea, MD, DrPH, PT, RD, DipABLM, FACLM, Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist 
  • Jonathan Bonnet, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM 
  • Micaela Karlsen, PhD, MPSH 

Accreditation Statement, Disclosure Information and Credit Designation Statements

Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure Information:

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all individuals in control of content for this activity have disclosed all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. Any relevant financial relationships have been identified, reviewed, and mitigated prior to the start of the activity. 

Individuals in control of content have disclosed the following:  

  • Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH, CDCES: Member, Speaker's Bureau - Novo Nordisk 

All remaining planners, faculty, reviewers, moderators, and others in control of content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 

The content of this activity has been designed to present evidence-based information that is fair, balanced, and free from commercial bias. 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-physicians)

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Price

Cost:
$40.00
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Non-memberACLM Members

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Access to online material is granted through the term of approval, which ends November 3, 2027. 
 

Participant User Agreement (Terms of Use and Copyright) 

Before registering for a Continuing Education/Continuing Medical Education Activity (“Training”) for the first time, carefully review the following conditions of usage at https://lifestylemedicine.org/terms-of-use-and-copyright/

Registering for an American College of Lifestyle Medicine Activity indicates your acceptance of the Participant User Agreement and its terms and conditions. 

Required Hardware/software

This activity can be viewed on desktop or tablet using a modern browser and most mobile devices.