Meal Cost Calculator

This calculator shows the hidden cost that people with diabetes face with every meal: beyond just paying for food, they must also afford the insulin needed to allow their cells to process blood glucose.

Using May 2025 retail prices, this tool reveals how expensive insulin is in the United States—especially for those who are uninsured or have high-deductible health plans. Simply enter your carb-to-insulin ratio and meal carbs to see the insulin costs for a single meal. You can compare the costs of insulin in the U.S. with the costs for the same insulin in Canada (adjusted to USD).

Important note: This calculator is not suggesting anyone should limit their insulin use or choose foods based on insulin costs. People with diabetes should always take the insulin they need. This is purely an advocacy tool highlighting the unreasonably high retail prices of insulin in the United States.

Insulin Cost Per Meal Calculator
carbs : 1 unit insulin
grams
Results
Insulin Units Required: 3.00 units
US Cost Per Unit: $0.297
US Meal Cost: $0.89
Canada Comparison
Canadian Cost Per Unit: $0.028
Canadian Meal Cost: $0.08
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