Yes, you do need a meter, and this will help you with your food choices. You can test immediately before eating and again 2 hours after first bite. Any significant rise in levels will tell you if there were too many carbs in that meal for your body to cope with. Used alongside a food diary with portion sizes it will be of great benefit. Once you get a meter, we can help you use it to your best advantage.
The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)