Diabetes cheap meals/snacks

missty25

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice and ideas for meals that are reasonably cheap. I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and have been told to follow the diet of someone with type 2 diabetes. I have so far cut out sugar in tea, chocolate but having 2 rich tea biscuits after my evening meal. In the past week I've doubled my intake of veg and increased fruit but have been told to limit this to 3 portions per day. Also looking for meals that will boost my iron levels as am also anaemic.

Since last Tuesday when I was diagnosed I have spent £80 on food shopping, there is me, my OH and 5 year old DD. we all eat the same meals in the evening. I only have holiday pay for the next 2 weeks then the following 2 after that I won't get anything until my maternity allowance kicks in.

Really need cheapish ideas for lunches, dinners and also snacks especially for the 2 weeks that I won't have any money just OH wages.

I have a well stocked store cupboard with pasta, rice, dried peas/beans etc and we eat pretty much anything apart from fish bar tuna and no seafood.

Can anyone help with any ideas please???? Shops available are Mr.T, M@rrisons and Lid1s. Thank you for any ideas or help.

Ideally don't want to be spending more than £50 a week on shopping as well.

FairyPrincessk

Hi missty25,

I'm sure someone more experienced will be along soon. The main things i can suggest are to go for brown rather than white where possible (i.e. bread, pasta rice) this may not be feasible if you've got white already in but if you can it will help. Also try hardboiled eggs, cheese and veggie sticks for snacks. Celery, radishes, carrotts etc. can be dipped in hummous, soured cream (mix with dill to make it really nice) or eaten on their own. I'd suggest some soups for lunch, preferably made from veg with a low GI, with a side serving of a wholemeal bit of bread and some sort of protein. I know many people find it easier to stabilize their blood sugar if they eat protein with things that are higher GI, so perhaps keep that in mind.

As for dinners, perhaps you could buy some brown rice/wholewheat pasta for yourself and just do that bit separate then do your normal things on top. It is extra work, but it would keep the cost down of having to replace store cupboard items.

I know there are many free diebetic friendly recipes online, try Diabetes.uk.org which has a fairly extensive collection.

ragz_2

Nuts, cheese, veggie sticks. Anything with fat and or protein. Less carbs the better, even 'brown' ones do effect your blood sugar. Just have extra veg with your dinner, you will be getting more fibre and nutrients and still enough carbs to survive.
Fruit is ok but maybe one a day, it is high in sugar. Apples, pear etc ok but avoid bananas, they have a LOT of sugar in.

Sometimes it may be needed to spend more on food and cut down elsewhere. Good food is essential for good health, if it means you get more veggies and good protein then so be it, in my opinion.

I follow a low sugar diet, I eat a lot of salads, soups, omelettes, roasted veg etc.
For breakfast I eat eggs and bacon, greek yogurt with dessicated coconut for flavour or leftover dinner!

Zara77

Rice cakes are cheap, water biscuits are low fat/sugar and remember to keep your portion sizes in check (so opt for smaller size fruit etc). Grapes are actually quite high in sugar,so I would not have more than a small handful. Sunflower seeds are quite nice toasted up. You do not need to buy 'special diabetic food'-they are a complete waste of money. Good Luck

missty25

Thanks for the replies so far. Another question, what can I have to satisfy my sweet tooth? I'm ok with the fruit and low fat Greek yogurt but something to have as a small treat every few days. I used to have ice cream and the dietician said I could still do this twice a week, however I don't want to risk this as my sugar levels are high before bed. I'm really struggling with this, don't get me wrong I like fruit with yogurt and am not giving in to temptation so far but don't want to end up falling off the wagon so to speak.

Thanks once again:)

missty25

Malcnascar wrote: »

lots of info on here

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/

covers all types of diabetes and may answer some other related issues

and for food try further down the same forum, here

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/viewforum.php?f=28

Thanks for these links am going to have a good read through them tonight!

missty25

Malcnascar,

Helped lots.

Definately cannot have potatoes mashed or baked but the new potatoes have been fine so far. I used to rely on bananas to keep me going but cannot have on there own now but it's fine with low fat yogurt.

Having mostly salad for lunch with tuna, ham eggs etc. struggling with the potatoe issue at evening meal though. Been ok with pasta and rice so far but going to swap to brown and also cut back my portions of these.

Pretty much been left to get on with it tbh, the other thing the dietician has said is that I need to try and keep calories to between 2000 and 2500 due to being pregnant which I'm struggling a bit with, they don't want me to lose weight but I could do with losing a couple of stone tbh but been advised not to cut back on calories as only 9 weeks to go until baby will. E here.