Managing diabetes on a budget is a challenge! We asked our community for tips – take a look below, and you may be surprised at how much you can stretch your grocery budget!
Eating healthy is key to keeping blood sugar levels in your target range. But the cost of nutritious foods can quickly add up. With a little know-how and planning, you can eat on a budget without giving up good nutrition.
1. Choose store or no-name brands
Any time you can, choose store-brand items, as they tend to be less expensive than branded options.
2. Buying from the market or butchery
If you can buy direct from the source – the market or the butchery, for example, you can often save money. And the food might be fresher than at the supermarket!
3. Recipe hacks
A winner tip for managing diabetes on a budget that’s also helpful for managing blood sugar is finding recipes that use similar ingredients to avoid waste. You can also buy in bulk for a lower price – and meal planning means more routine meals (which is always a good thing for diabetes!)
4. Maximize on leftovers
Save leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day. Before you plate your dinner, set a serving aside in an airtight container for lunch tomorrow. You could also make room for leftovers by doing “planned-overs” – double a recipe to make sure you have leftovers for lunches or other meals later in the week. This helps with meal planning too!
5. Smart planning
Check your pantry and fridge, and plan meals around what you already have on hand. As you’re looking at recipes, see if you can substitute any of the ingredients for something you already have in your cupboard.
6. Buy bulk and save
Keep an eye on specials and buy food you often eat in bulk when they are on sale. Meat, canned goods, even butter and milk that can go in the freezer. You can always separate meat or chicken packs and freeze them in smaller quantities at home.
7. Try meat substitutes
Eat more beans, peas, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds, they are a great sources of protein. They are affordable, low in fat and a source of vitamins and minerals.
8. Sign up for rewards
Our last managing diabetes on a budget tip is to sign up for loyalty programmes at all your local supermarkets. That way you’ll get specific vouchers on things you buy often, and may be able to save money regularly.
Do you have any more tips to add? Join our Facebook community and let us know!
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