type 1 student

Hi Siobhan,

I'm 23 and I lost my control for 5 years when my Father died, in my case, DAFNE was one of the things that really helped. There's a lot of information in the Low Carb Diet forum. I've started losing weight by changing a few things, I don't have many carbs, I eat a lot more vegetables with my dinner as opposed to chips or potatoes. I know it's difficult on a budget, but Asda and Morrisons are very reasonably priced and there's nothing wrong with the Tesco Everyday Value brand or Sainsbury's Basics.

An important thing (I don't know how active you already are) is to exercise, you can follow cardio regimes from dvds or videos online, if you have a bike cycle where ever you can, walk rather than getting a cab or a bus. All free and easy to get in to if you wanted to.

hiya

I'm a lone parent (desperatly trying to find a job!), so I know its difficult on a tight budget.

Heres a few hints and tips - regardless of diabetes!

Shop the whoops isle - for fruit, veg, meat.
Cook in bulk - So if making chilli, casserole, lasagne (hary dieters no pasta version), curry etc cook enough for a few meals and freeze.

above all... menu plan. If you know what your going to cook, and ONLY buy those things, then the cost of food comes down dramatically. Sit down for an hour and work out your breakfasts, lunches and dinners... try to coordinate your meals so that you use the more fragile vegetables at the beginning of the week or shop daily.

Finally, when you bulk cook, freeze into separate portions - this really really helps with portion control too!

Some cheapy recipes....

slow cooked stews and casseroles (I buy the cheapest cuts and slow slow slow cook - tonights cassolet is cooking already!)
chilli - in a low carb tortilla
garlic and ginger soy minced pork - serve in lettuce leaf bowls and wrap
creamed mushrooms (slow fry some mushrooms, add warmed cream and plenty of pepper) - serve with toasted burgen soy and linseed bread
turkey fajitas - served in a lettuce wrap
spicy mushrooms (slow fried with whatever spices you fancy), with bacon and salad
88% meat sausage casserole (ok sausages are more expensive but worth it).
Chargrilled chicken breast with salads (piri piri style is LOVELY)
omelettes - just about any sort
crustless quiche
soups! - very very easy and if you do some oops shopping for all the vegatables (dont put in potatoes) very cheap!

I am very new to diabetes, and low carbing - but those are a few things I have tried, or adapted from my old staple recipes.