Eat Smart on the Cheap With Diabetes

Hide Video Transcript

Video Transcript

MICHAEL SMITH
When you have diabetes one of the best things you can do to help manage your condition and your blood sugar is to eat healthy. So here are some ways to actually do that and not spend a lot of money at the grocery store.

One of the foods that you really want to focus on when you have diabetes and you're trying to eat healthy is lean protein. While certainly lean meats do that, there are a lot of other options too. Great choices are cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, tofu. Even eggs are really great ways to get your protein in.

Protein is really good for several reasons. It's going to help you stay full. And it's going to help you build muscle when you're exercising.

When you're starting to eat healthy you might be concerned that the food is going to be bland and you're just not going to like it. But one of the best ways to spice it up is with those herbs and spices. And you know, spices and herbs are one of your best sources of anti-oxidants.

You may have heard of those low carb specialty foods. They can be a really good option to help you manage your carb intake. But be cautious. There may be some hidden fat and hidden calories. And in fact, they might actually not be better for you than the regular fresh food. Get used to reading those labels, and make sure you know what you're eating.

When you're trying to eat healthy one of the best ways that you can save money is to buy your produce, your fruits and vegetables, in season. And a great place to get that fresh produce is your local farmer's market. It's going to be less expensive, and tends to be much fresher.

When you're shopping look out for specials. You can buy more and save even more. For example, in the summer when those berries are a lower price, buy them when they're two for one, put them in the freezer. That chicken when it's a lower price per pound, wonderful option. Freeze it. And you can pull it out at any point for that fresh dinner.

And don't forget to hydrate. Water is always your best source. If you want to mix it up a little bit, that's totally fine. But really your go to source of fluid should be water.

To save money plan ahead. Americans throw away 40% of the food that they purchase. And when you go to the grocery store, make a list, and stick to it. And don't go to the store hungry. That's a sure fire way to purchase foods that aren't good for you or your diabetes.

To save time and money prep ahead. The night before chop up those veggies or marinate that chicken, so that the next night when you come home and you are too tired to really fix something, it's halfway done, and you can stick to that healthy dinner.

Lean protein, in-season produce, planning ahead. These and the other tips I mentioned are great ways to manage your diabetes, eat healthy, and keep your wallet and taste buds happy.