How do you live on a tight budget with diabetes?

Hi @donnad‍, welcome to Carenity. If you need any assistance with using it, please feel free to message me.

As for me, I try to cook everything myself and seldom indulge in "eating out." In Florida, I frequent Aldis (they have great prices on organic and more natural foods and also have good prices on most food. When it comes to meats, I tend to frequent Winn-Dixie (they tend to have discounted meats).

What area of the country are you located in> Maybe someone on the forum lives in vicinity and has some better recommendations also.

Proteins I stick to lentils, fish (Albacore tuna), shrimp (but this is and can be costly), chicken, cashews, low fate or fat free cottage cheese, and eggs (focus on the whites - this can be costly also when only eating whites)

@Lee__R‍ I also never eat out .. food is becoming more and more costly. Because I don’t feel well often I do protein drinks ... Walmart has an equate brand that is 4 drinks for 5.00 ... and they keep me feeling full as they have 30 grams of protein.  I never thought my career would end at 48 (I’m now 55) and yes, disability pay is usually not close to work salary. Produce is costly so trying to eat seasonal things helps .. healthy eating does go a long way towards helping your body.  

Best to all .. 

I've always been a careful shopper, so cutting corners is almost second nature.  Since diabetes is restrictive, there are things I just don't buy anymore.  I still keep flour and sugar on hand, but I don't use them much.  Processed foods are also out, so there's a little more savings.  I also don't have much appetite these days, so I'm eating smaller portions.  I cook a whole chicken in my air fryer and it's good for at least 4 meals or more.  I still love eating out, but even that is much less often than I would like.  We have a nice buffet here that let's me eat healthy, but enjoy the eating out experience once or twice a month.  I eat a lot of chicken and pork, seafood when I can afford it and occasionally some beef if I find a good sale.  I eat more salads than I used to, but I'm not much for cooked veggies.  Look up impossible pie recipes; very versatile and low carb too.  Another inexpensive favorite is cottage cheese, sf jello powder, a small tub of Cool Whip and a small can of mandarin oranges or crushed pineapple, well drained.  Mix it all together and you have sweet treat that has protein too!  Makes a good breakfast or a side dish.

I seldom eat out and prepare all my own food. I meal prep every Sunday for the week, so that while I am at work or on the road, I will not feel inclined to have to go eat somewhere when hunger strikes. I invested in a good and spacious lunch box for this. I try to buy most of my proteins, vegetables, and fruits from Aldis and then random other items that Aldis does not sell is the only thing I tend to not get from Aldis. 

I save a lot of money at Aldis.

Looks like many of us like Aldis. I also shop at Aldis and they are growing their organic/natural selections and they are still affordable. When you can, meal prep and buy in bulk.

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Just a quick reminder that it's important to remember that living with diabetes on a tight budget is tough, but it's doable. Don't be afraid to reach out for help or advice, and keep looking for creative solutions that work for you.

The thread is old but I still wanna add that a good option is to shop at discount stores or buy in bulk when possible. You can also look for deals on healthy foods and proteins, like buying meat on sale or shopping at farmer's markets. And don't forget about frozen fruits and veggies - they can be a budget-friendly and nutritious option.
And speaking of budgeting, I would suggest using using a service that monitors your financial accounts. It can be a helpful tool to keep track of your spending and make sure you're staying on track with your budget.