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Healthy Eating on a Lean Budget: Diabetes Meals for Less

As the recession deepens and the unemployment rate hovers at 10%,1 diabetes clinicians often find themselves caring for individuals with serious financial concerns. Comments such as “Healthy food is too expensive,” “I can't afford to follow a diabetes diet,” and “Diabetic food costs too much” are now commonly heard during patient care encounters. It is not surprising that individuals with diabetes have financial issues because those with diagnosed diabetes, on average, have medical expenditures that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those without diabetes.2 According to the American Diabetes Association, the per capita annual cost of health care for people with diabetes is $11,744, of which $6,649 (57%) is attributed to diabetes.2 The recent economic downturn has added further financial pressure. The current Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator estimates that what $100 would buy 5 years ago now costs $114.52,3 an amount that will vary with changes in the economy.

Although some individuals with diabetes may not disclose financial anxieties to their clinicians, health care professionals should be aware that the inability to pay for food, medications, and other aspects of diabetes care can pose a barrier to optimal self-management. Health care professionals should be prepared to assist individuals with diabetes by providing guidance on pennywise meal planning, smart shopping, and cost-effective cooking to help patients reduce their food costs without sacrificing important aspects of their care.

Planning pennywise meals is the first step toward taking a big bite out of food expenses. Sharing information such as “Saving just $5 a week on food—about the cost of one fast-food value meal—adds up to more than $250 a year” with patients can open a discussion about the effectiveness of making small behavior changes to move toward the bigger goal of healthy eating on a budget.

Because today's …