Table of Contents
Meal ideas and planning can be pretty repetitive or tiresome, especially for Type 2 Diabetics. Thinking of three meals to eat in a day is challenging, even more so when you have dietary restrictions and foods you need to avoid!
Diabetes-friendly Affordable Meal Ideas
Cut down on drinks with no added sugar, including fizzy sugar drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices. Instead, choose high-fiber carbs like chickpeas, beans, lentils, and vegetables. Also, cut down on red meat, bacon, and processed meat like sausages and hot dogs. Consuming excessive amounts of salt can raise your risk of high blood pressure, which is also connected to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Check food labels and choose items with less salt and sugar.
- Keeping your blood sugar levels under control when managing type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to break the wallet. Here are some low-cost and affordable meal ideas and suggestions for those with type 2 diabetes:
- Prioritize whole meals Instead of processed meals, try eating more fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Compared to their processed counterparts, these are frequently less expensive and more nutritious.
- Beans, lentils, tofu, and legumes are all great plant-based protein options that you should consider adding to your diabetes-friendly affordable meal ideas. In most cases, the price is lower for these than for animal proteins.
- Make a list of what you’ll need to buy for the week’s meals and stick to it by planning ahead. You may save money and cut down on food waste by doing this.
- Consider buying non-perishable products in large quantities, such as whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Buying in large quantities allows you to save money and divide your purchases anyway you see fit.
- Make water your beverage of choice. It’s the least expensive and best for you. You should stay away from sugary sodas and fruit juices in large quantities. Avoid processed and sugary foods as much as possible, as they are often more expensive and may have an unfavorable effect on blood sugar regulation.
- Make a lot of food at once and freeze it in serving-size containers. This can help you save both time and money while ensuring that you always have access to nutritious food. Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season and cultivated in your area. They are typically less expensive, more readily available, and more palatable and nutritious than their less recent counterparts.
- Choose nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt, cut up vegetables, or fruit as inexpensive and healthy snack options.
- Be aware of your portion sizes so you can control your intake and your blood sugar in affordable meal ideas.
- Instead of spending a lot of money on sauces and seasonings, try using herbs and spices to give your food more flavor.
Affordable Meal Ideas and Tips
To make things easier, here are breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal ideas that you should include in your meal prep.
Breakfast
1. Vegetable OmeletteEggs are a tremendously diabetes-friendly source of protein and can keep you full for a long time, but if you want to take your omelet to the next level, you may add vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, or even meat like ham!2. Avocado ToastAvocado toast is an American staple, but consider choosing wheat bread over regular sourdough to make it diabetes-friendly. Add an egg, some radishes, and goat’s cheese, and you’re good to go!3. Oatmeal and MuesliOvernight oats with fruit, oatmeal bowls with nuts, or mixed nuts with low-fat yogurt can be excellent and easy breakfast ideas. Just make sure to avoid using chocolate or maple syrup. For added sweetness, fruits will do the trick!4. Breakfast MuffinsBreakfast muffins are one of the most customizable breakfast options you can make. You may have an egg or a sweet potato base; add in your vegetables and low-fat meat, and you have a healthy breakfast!Lunch
1. Green SaladsSalads are a great way to switch things up and get creative with your meal ideas. From choosing between different greens to other toppings like vegetables and low-fat cheese, or even adding your favorite lean meat like chicken or beef. You can never go wrong with a salad for lunch!2. Quinoa or Cauliflower riceRegular white rice is high in carbohydrates and is not good for diabetics, but quinoa is an excellent substitute. Quinoa is rich in fiber and protein, which makes it beneficial for people with diabetes. Another substitute for regular rice could be cauliflower rice, which is steamed cauliflower either grated or crumbled into little chunks that resemble rice.Mixed with vegetables or meat, quinoa, and cauliflower rice, this is a affordable meal ideas for people with diabetes that can keep you full for the rest of the day.3. Zucchini Pasta or NoodlesTraditional pasta, made with flour or even potatoes, is another food item that is diabetics may have to avoid. But if you really want to go for the pasta feel, zucchini noodles or zucchini pasta may be the way to go! Zucchini noodles are basically noodles made of zucchini, spiralized or peeled using a kitchen or julienne peeler to have that noodle or pasta effect! Cook it with your favorite marinara sauce, and you’ve got a low-carb pasta dish!4. Low-carb wrapsShawarma wraps, burritos, and quesadillas are only a few of the meals you can create that are diabetes-friendly! As long as you use whole wheat or whole grain tortillas, opt for low-fat meat options, and omit rice from your wraps, you can easily create different types of wraps that will keep you full without spiking your blood sugar.Dinner Tips
There are hundreds of dinner recipes that are diabetes-friendly, so instead, here are a few guidelines that may help you think of dinner ideas:- Focus on vegetables and low-fat or lean meat.
- Use low-fat dairy products.
