<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring appropriate dietary management. Meal-sequence modification, particularly consuming protein before carbohydrates, may help regulate postprandial glucose levels. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 26 patients with T2DM selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Participants received two meal-sequence interventions for two weeks: protein before carbohydrates (Intervention A) and protein together with carbohydrates (Intervention B). Group 1 received 40 g of red bean soup, while Group 2 received 22 g of beef soup. FBG and 2h-PBG were measured at each intervention stage and analyzed using the Independent Samples T-Test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: After Intervention A, mean FBG was 147.54 ± 19.40 mg/dL in Group 1 and 147.31 ± 26.83 mg/dL in Group 2 (p = 0.980), while 2h-PBG was 193.38 ± 23.45 and 210.31 ± 53.40 mg/dL, respectively (p = 0.306). After Intervention B, mean FBG was 148.31 ± 20.39 and 156.23 ± 24.82 mg/dL (p = 0.383), while 2h-PBG was 189.23 ± 26.94 and 220.92 ± 55.85 mg/dL (p = 0.078), respectively. Conclusion: No significant differences in FBG or 2h-PBG were observed between the plant-based and animal-based protein groups. However, the consistently lower 2h-PBG with red bean consumption suggests a potentially favorable glycemic response warranting further investigation. Meal sequencing may be considered as a complementary dietary strategy alongside appropriate dietary intake and glycemic control.]]>
