Healthy Food Delivery Programs Show Quality of Life Improvements for Heart Failure Patients

Providing healthy, medically tailored meals or boxes of fresh produce along with nutrition counseling led to improved quality of life for people with heart failure compared to those who received dietary counseling without healthy food deliveries, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The preliminary findings from a randomized trial involving 150 adults recently hospitalized for acute heart failure suggest that access to nutritious food may play a crucial role in recovery and disease management.

The study, funded by the American Heart Association's Health Care by Food™ initiative, divided participants into three groups: one receiving medically tailored meals and dietary counseling, a second receiving fresh produce boxes and counseling, and a third receiving only dietary guidance without food delivery. All food delivery programs lasted for 90 days following hospital discharge. Participants receiving either meals or produce were further divided into conditional delivery groups requiring medication pick-up and clinic attendance, and unconditional delivery groups with no such requirements.

Key findings revealed that participants in both food delivery groups reported significantly higher quality of life compared to those who received dietary guidance alone, as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Notably, people in the conditional delivery groups demonstrated higher quality of life than those in the unconditional delivery groups. Additionally, participants who received boxes of fresh produce reported greater patient satisfaction than those receiving prepared meals, suggesting that maintaining some control over meal preparation may enhance the intervention's effectiveness.

Lead study author Ambarish Pandey, M.D., M.S., FAHA, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that people with heart failure often experience condition worsening without proper nutrition after hospitalization. The study population reflected significant health challenges, with 95% having high blood pressure, 54% with Type 2 diabetes, and substantial portions reporting food insecurity (53%) and nutrition insecurity (55%). These demographic characteristics highlight the potential impact of food-based interventions in vulnerable populations.

While the study showed clear quality of life benefits, there were no significant differences in hospital readmissions or emergency department visits between the groups. During the 90-day study period, researchers recorded 32 hospital readmissions and emergency department visits for heart failure, with 18% of participants experiencing one or more readmissions or emergency visits. This suggests that while food interventions improve patient wellbeing, their effect on reducing healthcare utilization may require longer-term evaluation.

The research aligns with growing evidence supporting the Food is Medicine approach to chronic disease management. According to the American Heart Association's 2025 Scientific Statement, programs incorporating healthy food and healthcare for people with chronic diseases show great potential in improving diet quality and food security. Pandey noted that healthy food could be as powerful as medications for people with chronic conditions like heart failure, particularly for those vulnerable after hospitalization.

Study limitations include the small sample size of 150 patients and short 90-day follow-up period. Larger studies with more participants and longer observation periods are needed to assess whether food programs can reduce hospitalizations or improve survival rates. The research team is planning a phase 3 trial involving 1,200-1,500 people across multiple hospitals to further investigate these interventions.

These findings have significant implications for healthcare systems and policymakers considering integrated approaches to chronic disease management. The demonstrated improvements in quality of life, combined with the high prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity among heart failure patients, suggest that food-based interventions could become valuable components of comprehensive care strategies. As healthcare continues to evolve toward more holistic approaches, incorporating nutritional support alongside traditional medical treatments may represent an important advancement in managing complex chronic conditions.