I love the NS foods...I just started this week. There are a lot of people who don't buy the food and still follow the NS plan, including weighing in, etc, on the site.
Here's a forum of people who make NS type foods at home.
I bought my NS food off of ebay for about 1/3rd of the cost! Just shop around. Also, on the NS board, there are people who can help you out with food and advice.
It's a wonderful program. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Also, you can try a calorie counting program like s p a r k p e o p l e .com. Great program, and it's free!! It's more than a diary, it's a whole program.
Good luck whatever you try!