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Most important food

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I know we need a varied diet for health but I need to know what
would be the most important
foods to buy with very little money. I'm unable to buy all
the different kinds of foods.
Which is the most important ?
That we need the most.
 
cdpm said:
I know we need a varied diet for health but I need to know what
would be the most important
foods to buy with very little money. I'm unable to buy all
the different kinds of foods.
Which is the most important ?
That we need the most.
Click to expand...
That would depend on several factors. Such as age, other health conditions, active or sedentary lifestyle, gender, country you live in, seasonal availability, vegetarian, vegan , omnivore, (just for example)

For myself, post menopause T2 female, mobility restricted, I would choose protein as most important, some fat, green veg. Also, eat produce that is seasonal, and mainly locally grown or reared. For example, I don’t expect to have strawberries all year round.
I have know what it is like to have to budget carefully, protein can be from eggs, cheap cuts of meat, fresh or tinned fish. Veg I generally get in small amounts from greengrocer as and when I need it. I did try to grow my own in pots outside, but not very successfully, thanks to slugs snails and other pests. I also use markets, which can be cheaper than supermarkets.

Something that can be helpful is to choose what time you shop. Some retailers reduce cost of items nearing their best before date, at the end of the trading day.
 
VashtiB said:
How liquids? Would scrambled eggs work? What about using a food processor or something to mash food up- like mashed cauliflower which is something that I like that's relatively low carb?
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I can eat these both but strictly
just liquids is all that doesn't hurt.
 
Another reason I asked this question
Was because my specialist wants me to
Switch from the premix to a basal/bolus
Routine again.
But everyone including him forgets that
I only have 2 needle tips a day.
So that allows 1 basal injection and
1 meal injection. So one meal a day.
Is this what's recommended now?
One meal a day?

So you add in low low finances and no teeth
And dietary restrictions for intolerances.
I'm not left with much.

So I need to know the best foods to buy for what
Nutrition that can be had from them.
 
Where are you located @cdpm ? I'm just asking because your location might influence the advise people give

I don't think one meal a day is recommended now, but I understand your difficulties. Variety in the diet is to try and ensure that you get all the nutrients you need. Variety is also to minimise the risk of getting too much of what is harmless in small or "normal" amounts but might be harmful if you ate it every day (e.g. by adding variety to the diet you mitigate or eliminate the risk of, say, consuming too many heavy metals by eating the same thing every meal every day). The three sides of the triangle are generally given as variety, moderation and balance. But I understand that with low finances, intolerances, dental issues, needle tip issues etc this might be tricky

Are you able to tolerate berries, and are they ok for your blood sugars and budget? In-season produce is usually cheaper at the supermarket and if you buy what's in season not only is it cheaper but you get variety. Are berry or fruit smoothies an option?
 
Another thing I buy a lot of is bones. They're usually very cheap and boiled up they make good soups, casseroles etc. Despite the cheap price bones normally have a lot of meat (protein and fat) on them and get me by for maybe 6-8 meals by adding carrots, celery, onion, sometimes barley. Just have to be careful to get the little bones out after slow cooking and being aware that small bones might remain when you're eating. Bone broths/soups/casseroles can provide good nutrition, including calcium and in my neck of the woods they're cheap. Don't tell anyone they're cheap, though, because they make delicious meals
 
plantae said:
Where are you located @cdpm ? I'm just asking because your location might influence the advise people give

I don't think one meal a day is recommended now, but I understand your difficulties. Variety in the diet is to try and ensure that you get all the nutrients you need. Variety is also to minimise the risk of getting too much of what is harmless in small or "normal" amounts but might be harmful if you ate it every day (e.g. by adding variety to the diet you mitigate or eliminate the risk of, say, consuming too many heavy metals by eating the same thing every meal every day). The three sides of the triangle are generally given as variety, moderation and balance. But I understand that with low finances, intolerances, dental issues, needle tip issues etc this might be tricky

Are you able to tolerate berries, and are they ok for your blood sugars and budget? In-season produce is usually cheaper at the supermarket and if you buy what's in season not only is it cheaper but you get variety. Are berry or fruit smoothies an option?
Click to expand...
Yes I can have berries.
 
plantae said:
Another thing I buy a lot of is bones. They're usually very cheap and boiled up they make good soups, casseroles etc. Despite the cheap price bones normally have a lot of meat (protein and fat) on them and get me by for maybe 6-8 meals by adding carrots, celery, onion, sometimes barley. Just have to be careful to get the little bones out after slow cooking and being aware that small bones might remain when you're eating. Bone broths/soups/casseroles can provide good nutrition, including calcium and in my neck of the woods they're cheap. Don't tell anyone they're cheap, though, because they make delicious meals
Click to expand...
We wouldn't want to say that too
loud lest they raise the price.
Lol
Something my family and I say
Nearly every day.
That sounds yummy.
 
I've been eating a lot more eggs - particularly scrambled - since I got my diagnosis. Breakfast this morning was 3 eggs scrambled with some chorizo through it, with a couple of slices of Hi-Lo bread toasted.

Greek yoghurt is another thing I've found I'm eating a fair bit - with stuff like blueberries, mixed nuts and chia seeds.
 
cdpm said:
I also should mention that whatever it is
must be able to be made liquidy for no
teeth consumption. Or come that way.
Click to expand...
I'd second the eggs nomination (cheap and a complete food).
How about beef mince made into bolognaise (buy the full fat version for satiety)
Add some tinned maceral to the eggs or tuna.
Buy strong cheddar to add to the gg.
How about a slow cook casserole with cheap cuts of beef (ask the butcher) and offal blended to make it into a thick broth. You can add lentils to this if you want to thicken it up and you tolerate their abrasive nature!
Vegetables are less important than good proteins and fats IMO so I wouldn't feel guilty about not eating the rainbow!
 
Hi. We don't know why you are limited to only two needles a day, but I only use one per day for my Basal/Bolus shots which typically number 7 or so with corrections. It may not work for you but worth a try?
 
I also use my needles more than once. I use one everyday for my basal and another one for all my bolus needs during the day. I keep the needle on the pen, put the cap back on and store in a very clean container until my next bolus injection. So that's 2 needles per day. I have also often taken the needle from the basal and put it onto the bolus, so that is one needle per day. I use 4mm needles.
 
cdpm said:
We wouldn't want to say that too
loud lest they raise the price.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's why you mustn't tell anyone hahaha. They really are nice though. Bacon hocks/bones are usually cheap as well and every time I've got them they have a good/large amount of meat on them. I slow cook them with cabbage, or make pea and bacon soup (just add dried peas, also cheap)

Bacon hocks, beef bones and chicken are about the only meat I regularly buy. I was in the shop the other day and the steaks were $40... so steaks are off the menu for me :) Sometimes the shop has big bags of chicken wings that are cheap as well but not as often as they have beef bones. The chicken wings I use for the same purpose... making soups or broths because you get so much bang for your buck. I suppose you could make fried chicken wings or something but you wouldn't get 6-8 meals then and I prefer the soups/broth anyhow

Edit: talking about steak, if price wasn't a problem I'd probably still buy beef bones instead of steak because I like the taste of the meat better even though they're so cheap. Maybe it's because I slow cook them and all the bone marrow, collagen and goodness seep out and the meat is very tender after the hours of cooking. Some people strain it and throw the meat, fat etc out so that's an option as well if meat is too much (but maybe give it a go before straining it off, it basically melts in your mouth)
 
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Daibell said:
Hi. We don't know why you are limited to only two needles a day, but I only use one per day for my Basal/Bolus shots which typically number 7 or so with corrections. It may not work for you but worth a try?
Click to expand...
I must admit to doing this too, but am pretty sure that the official advice is to use a new needle every time. (Don't want to risk infecting your skin)

I've got to hope that if @cdpm 's team authorise a mutiple injeection regime they should also prescribe an appropriate number of pen needles, but I don't know how medications are funded in Canada?

JAT1 said:
I have also often taken the needle from the basal and put it onto the bolus, so that is one needle per day. I use 4mm needles.
Click to expand...

That's a step too far for me, but can see how it might not be any worse than reusing a pen needle, as long as you are sure to expel any insulin in the actual needle before injecting???
 
Ref. the bone broth - a small amount of bacon lardons or bacon offcuts if you can get them really gives it some oomph, pretty cheap and a packet lasts a whole week.
 
EllieM said:
That's a step too far for me, but can see how it might not be any worse than reusing a pen needle, as long as you are sure to expel any insulin in the actual needle before injecting???
Click to expand...
I use a new needle for my basal because basal is the first insulin I take in a day. If some basal is still in the needle when I bolus, or some bolus left when I next bolus, I would have wanted that insulin anyway. I cover the needle left on the pen and keep in a very clean container. If I wonder about infection, I apply some disinfectant on the injection site. I've never had a problem and have a budget that requires being frugal.
 
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