Fat-free shakes and soups could be prescribed to diabetics as part of a "radical treatment" for the disease.
Nearly 300 people suffering from Type 2 diabetes in the UK were given the 850 calorie-a-day diet and it could be rolled out wider.
The Daily Mail newspaper said research found half of those following the four-meal-a-day diet were in remission within 12 months.
The study's Jonathan Valabhji says the plans are "exciting".
"The trial involved 300 people, of those in the intervention arm a staggering almost 50 per cent saw their diabetes go into remission.
"Their blood glucose levels fell into the non-diabetic range."
The idea of the diet is that it will help patients lose weight which will, in turn, lower blood glucose levels.
At between 810 and 850 calories daily, the diet provides a lot less than the 2,000 calories recommended for a woman and 2,500 for a man.
Patients will stay on the diet for three to five months and then will be allowed to replace a shake with a meal.
Over the following six weeks, patients will gradually replace the shakes or soups with meals until they are back to eating normally again.
