I appreciate the thoughtfulness in trying to help, but I also feel frustrated that my "I can't make this work" posts are being dismissed. I have no other resources. I'm stuck with the stores I have within walking/biking distance, and the fixed, inflexible budget I have - and that means my budget runs out after 3 days of eating low carb. I did the math with the best values I could find at my available stores, for which I rely solely on current sales to get any discount prices as they offer nothing else, and it's just not an option. I don't know what else to tell you. I'm a smart and resourceful person and I feel I exhausted all options.
@kittypoker: I cannot afford more than some tea bags and the occasional package of coffee, so water is what I drink on most days. Once a month I splurge on two cans of diet soda. I'm taking care of my health just fine, I wanted to try the low carb diet because I'm curious to see how well I do on it, but I'm really doing well on my insulin and moderate carb regime at the moment. Low carb is not for everyone for a multitude of reasons, and everyone's options should be individually assessed.
Bottom line for my case, for a final time: I'm grateful to all the suggestions, but within my available resources I
cannot make this work. I wish I could because it all sounds really tasty and good for me, but it is what it is. I feel more knowledgeable and am making use of that info to the best of my abilities. I can't do more than that, so I consider this topic closed.