Advice on cheap low-carb diet for type II diabetic? (xposted in Health and Healing)

[NoraFlood]

So DH was just diagnosed with type II diabetes at age 35. We don't know yet whether he will need to go on metformin, but some dietary changes are definitely in order. I think we need to drastically reduce our carbohydrate intake (well, he does, and I want to eat basically what he eats for the sake of both simplicity and support). The problem with that is two-fold: first of all, he has a raging sweet tooth and is also a big fan of white bread (not Wonder bread or anything like that, but still). Second, although we are not super broke, money is always an issue. I had big plans for baking a bunch of low-carb bread, so I went shopping and ended up spending $50 just on various fancy flours! That won't be sustainable long-term. So does anyone have any advice on following a (relatively) low-carb diet on the cheap, without completely giving up on the idea of bread and pasta and such?

[organicmidwestmama]

check out the Traditional Food forum here. many posters are eating low carb, high-nutrient meals and have great information for you.

honestly... id stop eating most bread. period. and pasta. and well, hate to say it but most grains and starchy veggies like white potatoes, if my health depended on it, as your husband's does now. grains can be very addictive as can sugar and sweets. obviously this is a wake up call for your family to change the way you are all eating, your husband is just starting to see how it has affected him with this diagnosis.

if it as my hubby id stop eating bread too to support him. id also probably find a reputable alternative health care practitioner fimiliar with diabetes diets.

here is a website i find inspiring whose writer cooks with no grains:
http://www.organicthrifty.com/

some cookbooks id recomend for low grain/carn healthy eating are-
The Garden of Eating
an article of beating sugar cravings ith whole foods- http://www.thegardenofeatingdiet.com/Articles/sugar.pdf

the No Grain Diet by Dr. Mercola
http://www.nograindiet.com/

Life Without Bread
http://www.westonaprice.org/bookreviews/lwb.html

[cristeen]

Give up the bread.

My DH was a bread/pasta-aholic when I met him. But after a couple months on low carb, he didn't really miss it. It takes about 3 weeks to get past the hump, but then the cravings should pretty much disappear.

You're much better off spending the money on meat and veg than on substitute flours. At this point the only "flour" I buy is almond meal, to make the occasional cake with.

As for low cost - eggs. Eggs. More eggs. Egg custard, egg muffins, crustless quiche, etc., for breakfast. Salads with eggs, chopped meat, cheese and nuts make great (relatively cheap) lunches. Be sure there's PLENTY of fat with that salad or it won't be filling. And meat/veg for dinner (stir-frys are great). It will take some getting used to, but ultimately once you've gotten through the learning curve, it's not that difficult. Really, the hardest parts of making the changes are mental, and other people's influences. The actual change itself is not that hard (IME).

[newcastlemama]

nak

I would keep it simple with low carb--eggs, butter, cheese, meats/fish/chicken, low carb vegs, evoo, nuts. I also recommend Costco if you have one near you. I have been eating lc for 3+ years and highly suggest dropping the bead/grains for now like other pps said. I don't even miss them since my food is so delicious! Also having all the food in the house be low carb will make it much easier not to cheat and therefore keep blood sugar under control. Good for you for making a change for your dh!

I follow this general outline (in the summer) to keep my life easy--
B-eggs, avocado (and sometimes lower carb fruit like berries)
L-Salad with chicken and evoo dressing
S-nuts
D-Meat and vegs with coconut oil/butter and sea salt.

In the winter I will usually eat some sort of homemade soup stew for lunch. Make sure you are eating enough fat too so you don't feel starving.

Jen

[Ruthla]

I'd focus meals on meats and low-carb veggies. Look for the meats/poultry/fish that are on sale, produce in season, and frozen veggies. Canned fish is usually cheaper than fresh. Eggs are low carb and cheap too.

I'd make breads and pastas an occasional treat, not a dietary staple. If you REALLY want pasta, have lots of meat and veggies in the sauce and only a small portion of pasta per person. Or you can use spaghetti squash, or "zuchinni pasta" (sliced summer squash, boiled in salt water) instead of pasta.

Also make sure your diets contain plenty of fat- you'll need fat to feel full and satisfied without the carbs.

[bella_stranger]

I'm on a mostly organic low carb diet, with the addition of a little bit of fruit and honey. I don't eat sugar and rarely eat grains.

• Eggs are a staple of affordable lowcarbing-- omelettes, frittattas, baked eggs, fried eggs (in lard!), etc.
• Frozen berries make a nice sweet tooth snack, and they are low glycemic
• Nuts and nut flours are a good sub for wheat flour in baking (with the addition of eggs, you can make awesome low-carb cakes)

Then of course you get to embrace a variety of meats, greens, mushrooms etc. It is definitely a satisfying way to live and eat! good luck, and good for you for taking it seriously.

oh, and before you get on metformin, I would research it a bit more. I was on it for awhile, and it wasn't helpful in fact, it created a bit more of a problem for me. diet is definitely the most important part of the equation.: