MealPro & Idaho State Clinical Study

MealPro & Idaho State Clinical Study

Published Clinical Trial:

A Summary of the Clinical Study

The AID-IC Pilot Study investigated whether an anti-inflammatory diet could reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS)—a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and inflammation. Researchers at Idaho State University designed a randomized, crossover trial comparing a standard IC diet with a specially designed anti-inflammatory diet (AID-IC). The central premise was that dietary patterns high in saturated fats and processed foods may exacerbate inflammation and bladder pain, while nutrient-dense, plant-based diets rich in antioxidants could reduce symptom severity.

At the heart of the intervention was the AID-IC therapeutic diet, which was professionally prepared and delivered by MealPro (Sacramento, CA). Each week, MealPro provided participants with chef-crafted, pre-portioned lunches and dinners that were vacuum-sealed and shipped on dry ice in insulated boxes. The meals were designed to be nutritionally balanced—each roughly 500 kilocalories and supplying one-third of daily micronutrient requirements. The recipes emphasized plant-forward, low-saturated-fat ingredients such as cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, berries, olive oil, nuts, and oily fish (served 3–4 times weekly). Red meat and processed foods were completely excluded, and all known IC trigger foods—like citrus, tomatoes, alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners—were eliminated. The only cooking fat used was olive oil, and roughly 28% of calories came from lean animal sources such as fish or poultry.

The MealPro-prepared meals were a core element in ensuring dietary consistency and participant adherence. By outsourcing meal production, the researchers minimized variability in food quality, portion control, and nutrient content. This standardized delivery model also simplified participants’ day-to-day routine, reducing the burden of meal planning and preparation. Focus-group feedback revealed that most participants found the meals generous in portion size, filling, and easy to heat and store. However, some noted repetition from the weekly menu cycle and described certain vegetables as over-soft after reheating. Despite these minor critiques, the overall satisfaction with MealPro’s meals was positive, and most participants reported finding the diet easy to follow.

Quantitative findings demonstrated that the MealPro-based AID-IC diet significantly lowered the intake of solid fats, saturated fats, and refined grains, while increasing consumption of seafood and vitamin B12. The average energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) improved to −1.50—indicating a distinctly anti-inflammatory effect—compared with −0.98 for the control diet. Clinical outcomes also aligned with these dietary shifts: participants experienced reduced pelvic pain, improved social and home functioning, and enhanced sexual health scores on validated surveys. About 70% of participants reported feeling better and resuming normal activities, and several continued aspects of the diet even after the trial ended.

In conclusion, the AID-IC study demonstrated the feasibility and therapeutic promise of using a MealPro-prepared anti-inflammatory meal plan as a complementary intervention for IC/BPS. The ready-to-eat, nutritionally calibrated meals helped participants adhere to the protocol while achieving meaningful improvements in pain and quality of life. The study’s authors emphasized that future research with a larger and more diverse sample, expanded menu variety, and improved meal texture could further validate the benefits of this MealPro-based dietary model for chronic inflammatory bladder conditions.

References:

This original cree-reviewed paper of this clinical study was published by Idaho Stat University as: Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: The AID-IC Pilot Study and was authored by Barbara Gordon 1, Cynthia Blanton, Rebekah Ramsey, Andrea Jeffery, Laura Richey, and Rachel Hulse.

MealPro was the chosen meal delivery partner for this study and made all the meals for the clinical study. The clinically researched anti-inflammatory meal plan is available for purchase on our website.

• Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, 1311 E Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, USA; [email protected] (A.J.); [email protected] (L.R.)

• Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA; [email protected] (C.B.); [email protected] (R.R.); [email protected] (R.H.)

• MealPro: 7433 Greenback Ln, Citrus Heights CA 95610