The dietary advice given is usually outdated... They told me to cut fats and up carbs too. (Adding a lot more kilo's to where I had too many to begin with). Stick with what you've learned, and if you can't afford strips, keep an eye on the scales. Most likely you'll lose weight while going low carb, and then you can at least guess your sugars are doing better as well, because *something is happening*. There are cheaper strips than the Contour (I have the Contour TS. Four of 'em, helping me into the poor house.
) From what I understand the Codefree meter has cheaper strips, (about eight quid for 50).
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose-meters/sd-codefree-blood-glucose-meter.html
Just so you know, the testing's handy when you start out. I spent a lot of money on strips because that first year, I got SO MUCH WRONG! It wasn't even funny. With all the conflicting advice I got it took me ages to figure out what was working and what wasn't. Wish I'd logged on here back then, people here would've sorted me out in no time at all, but stupid me, I'd tried the Dutch forums instead, and there were no answers there, just scared people who were as clueless as I was. For you, it could certainly go a lot quicker! But anyway, once you know what meals do for you, you don't really have to test those again. I mean, bacon and eggs with cheese.... You don't even really have to bother with, as they're practically zero carb anyway. Pick your battles, basically. If you end up testing, that is. If not, with circumstances being what they are, like I said... The scales. Or in lieu of those, measure your waist. That could be a clear indicator too. Not a precise one, but if something's changing, somewhere... There's hope.