Diabetes & Frugal Living

[PAULA]

Hello everyone! I am new to the board but would like to say how wonderful it is. I have been logging onto this site since I discovered it a few days ago - and I cannot get enough.

Now my question:
I live in Canada and my husband is diabetic. For those unfamiliar with diabetes - carbs are not healthy as they turn into sugar. I was wondering how one would go about saving money on groceries when the majority of money is placed toward protiens and vegetables.

Thanks

[guest2]

Stock up when the things that he can have are on sale! Freeze you meats and any vegis that you can after blanching them. Also, if you know any hunters, see if you can work a deal where you can either barter for or buy some of their deer meat. It's very lean and good for you.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Buy meats and veggies as loss leaders and freeze, freeze, freeze! Check with fishing buddies as well. Often times, they catch more than they can use.

[Early Bird]

I am pre-diabetic, so I'm investigating that as well. Our County Extension is offering a free cooking class, so you might check to see if that kind of option is open to you.

What I've learned:

non-starchy veggies are 'free food.' You can eat them w/out a sugar penalty.

Think fiber and think protein. Buying or making whole wheat bread will add fiber to your diet. Dried beans are a good source of fiber, even though they have carbs.

try to fill your plate 50/50: 50% good stuff (veggies, meat) and 50% or less w/ carbs.

if you eat a soup or salad before a meal, you will probably eat less during the meal.

(I'm assuming that weight control is an issue too, as it is w/ me.)

Also, 200 gm of carbs and 30 gm of fiber each day is something they told us to aim for. Not Atkins. It's hard to get that much fiber!

[pkellyc]

Diabetic here, more than that, look for recipes, salsa is a life saver along with sugar free jello ect. use coupons. I find that if I don't have enough variety I tend to eat things I shouldn't. I pay more for sugar free everthing and like the others I stock up when they are on sale. I am not big on low carb products but I do buy low carb pasta I just make a small amount for me and regular pasta for my family. I also substitute parmesan cheese for bread crumbs as in coating chicken, and adding it to meatballs and meatloaf. Watch his fats he needs very lean meats, ground turkey can be moistened up with lots of diced onions, celery and green peppers added in. It is more expensive, to shop but by watching for sales, couponing and stocking up it's cheaper that it could be. And keep track of the carbs he does eat I was a little shocked at the number of carbs I was eating.

[nodmicks]

Diabetic here too.
I shop for veggies seasonally and stock up! Blach, freeze, etc.
I do buy some sf products but found the web is a weal;th of info on how to make your own.

[PAULA]

Thank you all so much for your advice.

[Ellise]

no advise just