Sheilagh - I wonder if your GP would let you have say 2 weeks supply initially so you can see what foods spike you and what don;t. When I was first diagnosed in June, I felt I needed to test a lot to start with to see what my levels were on fasting and after meals. This way I was able to work out what spiked me (beans) and what didn't (burgen bread e.g). I now feel I can eat quite happily now without testing all the while. I probably would test now once or twice a week, however I am a rare exception in that I have suddenly been having hypo's. On seeing my GP for this she has prescribed a fair amount of strips to allow me to test around my exercise.
I wonder if you speak to your gp and keep a food plan of what you are trying to do, then maybe they may be more generous to start with until you feel you need to test much less.
I hope this makes sense?