According to Gram Research analysis, a new randomized controlled trial called Delivering HOPE is testing whether providing pregnant women with free grocery cards to buy healthy foods reduces excessive weight gain during pregnancy. The study will follow 1,440 pregnant women at community health centers, comparing those who receive a directed-spend grocery card plus nutrition counseling to those receiving counseling alone. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases risks for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and delivery complications, particularly for women with food insecurity.
Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for both mother and baby. Many pregnant women struggle because they can’t afford healthy food. A new study called Delivering HOPE is testing whether giving pregnant women free grocery cards to buy healthy foods helps them avoid excessive weight gain. The research will follow 1,440 pregnant women at community health centers across the country. Half will get a special grocery card for healthy foods plus nutrition counseling, while the other half will get counseling alone. Researchers want to see if this “food as medicine” approach can improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce health risks, especially for women who face food insecurity.
Key Statistics
A randomized controlled trial of 1,440 pregnant women called Delivering HOPE is evaluating whether providing free healthy groceries reduces excessive gestational weight gain, a major risk factor for maternal complications during pregnancy and delivery.
The Delivering HOPE study, conducted across 7 community health centers in 2026, compares pregnant women receiving a directed-spend grocery card for healthy foods plus nutrition counseling to those receiving counseling alone to determine if removing food access barriers improves pregnancy outcomes.
Research shows that food insecurity and limited access to healthy foods are key social determinants contributing to excessive gestational weight gain, which increases risks for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other serious pregnancy complications.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether providing pregnant women with free grocery cards to buy healthy foods reduces excessive weight gain during pregnancy and prevents complications
- Who participated: 1,440 pregnant women aged 16-44 years attending community health centers in 7 different locations. The study focuses on women with limited access to healthy foods and food insecurity
- Key finding: This is a study being conducted now, so results aren’t available yet. The research will compare pregnant women who receive free healthy groceries plus nutrition counseling to those who receive counseling alone to see who gains less weight and has fewer pregnancy complications
- What it means for you: If successful, this research could lead to programs that help pregnant women access affordable healthy food, potentially reducing serious pregnancy complications and improving health outcomes for mothers and babies, especially in underserved communities
The Research Details
Delivering HOPE is a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard for medical research. Researchers will randomly assign 1,440 pregnant women into two groups: one group receives a special grocery card that can only be used to buy healthy foods (like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains) plus nutrition counseling, while the other group receives nutrition counseling and information about food resources but no grocery card. Both groups will receive the same education about healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
The study takes place at 7 community health centers, which serve patients with lower incomes and limited resources. This “real-world” approach means the results will apply to the women who need this help most. Researchers will track participants throughout their pregnancy and after delivery to measure weight gain, diet quality, and any pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
This research design is important because it tests whether simply giving advice about healthy eating works as well as actually removing the barrier of cost. Many pregnant women know they should eat healthy foods but can’t afford them. By comparing counseling alone to counseling plus free groceries, researchers can determine if access to food is the missing piece. The study also includes qualitative research, talking to participants and healthcare providers, to understand what works and what doesn’t in real-world settings.
This is a high-quality study design because it uses randomization (randomly assigning people to groups), includes a large sample size (1,440 participants), and involves multiple sites. The research team includes both academic researchers and community leaders, which helps ensure the study addresses real problems that matter to pregnant women. The study is also being conducted at community health centers, making it practical and relevant to the populations most affected by food insecurity.
What the Results Show
This study is currently being conducted and results are not yet available. The primary outcome being measured is excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG), gaining more weight than recommended during pregnancy based on pre-pregnancy weight. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases risks for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and complications during delivery. The study will determine whether the combination of a directed-spend grocery card and nutrition counseling is more effective at preventing excessive weight gain than counseling and resource referrals alone.
When results are published, they will show whether pregnant women who received free healthy groceries gained less weight than those who only received counseling. Researchers will also analyze whether the grocery card intervention led to better dietary choices, such as eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.
Beyond weight gain, the study is tracking several other important outcomes. Researchers will measure actual dietary intake to see if women who received the grocery card ate healthier foods. They will also monitor pregnancy and delivery complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (dangerous high blood pressure), and delivery outcomes. The study includes a hybrid effectiveness-implementation analysis, which means researchers will also study how well the program works in real-world settings and what barriers or challenges arise when implementing it.
Previous research shows that food insecurity, not having reliable access to enough healthy food, is linked to excessive weight gain during pregnancy and worse health outcomes. This study builds on that evidence by testing a specific intervention: providing free healthy groceries. While other studies have shown that nutrition counseling alone helps, this research will determine if adding the ability to actually purchase healthy foods makes a bigger difference. The “food as medicine” approach is gaining recognition in healthcare as a way to address social determinants of health, the real-world factors like poverty and food access that affect health.
Because this study is still ongoing, we cannot yet evaluate its limitations in terms of results. However, the study design does have some considerations: the research is limited to 7 community health centers, so results may not apply to all pregnant women or all regions. The study assumes that providing a grocery card will be used as intended and that women have access to stores where they can use it. Additionally, the study cannot control for all factors that affect pregnancy weight gain, such as physical activity levels or genetic factors. Results will be most applicable to pregnant women with limited incomes and food insecurity.
The Bottom Line
This study has not yet produced results, so specific recommendations cannot be made. However, based on the research design and existing evidence about food insecurity and pregnancy health, healthcare providers and policymakers should watch for results from this trial. If successful, the findings could support programs that provide pregnant women with access to affordable healthy foods as part of prenatal care, particularly for women experiencing food insecurity. The evidence level will be high (randomized controlled trial) once results are published.
Pregnant women, especially those with limited incomes or food insecurity, should care about this research. Healthcare providers, community health centers, insurance companies, and policymakers should also pay attention because results could influence how prenatal care is delivered and funded. Women who struggle to afford healthy foods during pregnancy are the primary beneficiaries of this research. However, the findings will likely be most relevant to women in similar circumstances rather than all pregnant populations.
The study is currently enrolling participants and will continue through pregnancy and delivery for each participant. Full results are expected to be published after all participants have completed the study and data has been analyzed, likely within the next 1-2 years. Any benefits from the intervention would likely be seen during the pregnancy itself, as the grocery card is provided throughout pregnancy to help manage weight gain and nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can free groceries help pregnant women avoid gaining too much weight?
The Delivering HOPE study is testing this question with 1,440 pregnant women. Researchers believe that removing the cost barrier to healthy foods, combined with nutrition counseling, may help prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy and reduce serious complications like gestational diabetes.
Why is excessive weight gain during pregnancy dangerous?
Gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases risks for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and delivery complications for both mother and baby. It can also lead to longer-term health problems after pregnancy, making healthy weight gain important for maternal and infant health.
Who is most affected by food insecurity during pregnancy?
Pregnant women with lower incomes and limited resources are most affected by food insecurity. The Delivering HOPE study focuses on these populations at community health centers, where many women struggle to afford healthy foods needed for a healthy pregnancy.
How does a directed-spend grocery card work?
A directed-spend grocery card can only be used to purchase specific healthy foods aligned with nutrition counseling, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. This ensures the money goes toward foods that support healthy pregnancy weight gain rather than processed or less nutritious options.
When will we know if this program actually works?
The Delivering HOPE study is currently enrolling participants and tracking them through pregnancy and delivery. Results will be published after all participants complete the study and data is analyzed, expected within the next 1-2 years based on the study timeline.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly weight gain during pregnancy against recommended guidelines (typically 25-35 pounds for normal weight women, adjusted for pre-pregnancy BMI). Users can log weekly weigh-ins and compare to target ranges to see if they’re on track, similar to how the study measures excessive gestational weight gain.
- Users could log daily food purchases and meals, particularly tracking whether they’re buying and eating the healthy food categories emphasized in nutrition counseling (fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains). This mirrors the intervention’s focus on dietary intake and helps users stay accountable to their nutrition goals.
- Implement a long-term tracking dashboard showing monthly weight trends, dietary quality scores based on food logging, and pregnancy milestones. Users could set personalized weight gain targets based on their pre-pregnancy weight and receive alerts if they’re gaining too quickly, helping them proactively manage weight throughout pregnancy.
This article describes a research study currently in progress. Results are not yet available. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider about appropriate weight gain, nutrition, and prenatal care tailored to their individual circumstances. If you experience food insecurity during pregnancy, speak with your healthcare provider about available resources and support programs in your community.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
