2.2. Intervention and Control Groups
Patients enrolled in the study were randomized into either a control nutrition education or a nutrition intervention group. Each participant was provided handouts with recommendations for their specific treatment group and were provided biweekly counseling appointments as detailed above. For the control group, termed the ‘nutrition education (NE)’, a registered dietician provided counseling based on the USDA Choose My Plate guidelines. The intervention group, termed the ‘nutrition intervention (NI)’, were given specific dietary counseling to enact during their enrollment in the study. In this group, patients were provided educational materials to incorporate specific dietary changes. Patients were instructed to consume ½ cup of berries as a mid-morning snack and another ½ cup of berries 6–8 h later and to consume one cup of leafy greens for lunch and/or dinner. Instructions were given to consume the berries and leafy greens of their selection in their whole fruit and vegetable form, meaning it was advised against blending or juicing the fruits and vegetables. Participants in this intervention group were instructed to maintain a food diary and record what fruits and vegetables were consumed at least three days each week. NI participants were also instructed to perform physical activity after meals, mainly via 15 to 30 min walks, and to maintain a journal of any physical activity performed during the duration of the study. 