How a Mediterranean Diet With Potatoes Impacts Heart and Metabolic Health in Adults With Pre-Diabetes

Participants randomized to receive the Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Education will receive a pre-recorded education session (lasting approximately 1 hour) they can watch at home after their Baseline and 6-Week Study Visits, which will be created by the PI and Co-I's of the study (who are comprised of Professors who are either Registered Dietitian credentialed or have experience with creating nutrition/physical activity programs), including an explanation of the principles and components of a Mediterranean dietary pattern and its benefits, guidance on recommended intake of various food groups, budget-friendly strategies for incorporation, supporting resources (educational materials and online tools), and techniques for overcoming barriers to following a Mediterranean dietary pattern. Additional educational materials will be provided to participants through computer or web-based sources.

Participants randomized to receive the Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Education with Baked White Potatoes will similarly receive a pre-recorded education session (lasting approximately 1 hour) they can watch at home after their Baseline and 6-Week Study Visits (same as the Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Education group). They will also receive will 100 g roasted white russet potatoes with the skin and will be asked to consume the regimen as a part of their meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or as a snack throughout the day to contribute to a balanced meal plan. The baked white potato regimen will be pre-portioned (in 100g amounts), stored in the freezer and given in freezer-microwave safe containers. The baked white potato regimen is approximately 100 kilocalories, 22g carbohydrates, and 0.2g of fat . In order to increase participants' compliance, they will be informed of a variety of ways to consume the baked white potato regimen.