Correctly formulated enterically coated nutrient pellets are able to significantly to lower the blood sugar level of type two diabetics when administered with a normal meal. The inventive composition is effective at dosage levels of 10 g or less. Effective doses of the composition contribute 42 kcal or fewer to the patient's diet. A preferred form of the composition contains lauric acid coated for release in the distal bowel. When taken with an ordinary meal, the effective dosage does not induce the ileal brake and is more than 50 times (often more than 100 times) as effective on per kilocalorie basis as an ordinary meal at eliciting increases in PYY and GLP-1. Thus, ordinary nutrients—as opposed to drugs—can be used to reduce blood sugar levels when administered at dosage levels that are not significant promoters of weight gain.