Pre-Trip Doctor Visit
If you or your loved one have diabetes, then it is recommended that you visit your doctor for a health and blood-sugar check before you set off on your travels. Work along with your medical practitioner to prepare a comprehensive diabetes management plan for your travels so that you’re better prepared to handle any issues that may arise while travelling.
Get a note from your doctor that you/your companion has diabetes and needs to carry your medications with you at all times, especially if you’re taking a flight. Typically, a doctor’s note/prescription is needed to carry medications and supplies like needles and syringes in your carry-on bag.
This will also help if you need to get your medications refilled while travelling. Also, you can try to carry an ID that highlights your diabetic condition.
Packing Essentials
The most important thing when travelling is to pack all the essential medications and supplies you will need on your trip. Ensure that you pack sufficient medications and supplies to last the entire duration of your trip.
It is always a good idea to pack extra in case of any emergencies, unforeseen delays, damages, or losses. Carry some of the supplies you need in your carry-on bag so that you can access them quickly if required.
Make a checklist of the items you need to carry and ensure that you pack the following:
Medications and Other Supplies
- Prescription/note from your doctor
- Diabetes ID card
- Glucometer and testing strips (extra batteries for your glucometer)
- Oral medications
- Insulin
- Syringes, needles and insulin pens
- Insulated cooler bag and gel ice packs to store insulin
- Alcohol swabs
Snack Box
If you’re flying, then request in advance the airline a diabetic meal that is low in carbs and fat. Any delays in your meals while travelling can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
So, it is a good idea to be prepared by carrying a snack box with some simple carbs, such as a sachet of sugar, hard candy, or glucose tablets. You can also carry some healthy snacks along with you, such as roasted chana, dry fruits, mixed nuts and seeds, roasted makhana, crackers, and a few fruit juice boxes.
Navigating Time Differences
Your diabetes management routine can get completely topsy-turvy while travelling, especially if you’re travelling across time zones and your travel day will be affected.
If you take insulin or oral medications for diabetes, then you will need to adjust your medication schedule as well as your meals accordingly. For example, a shorter travel day may require you to carry less medication and food, while a longer day will require the opposite.
It is also very important to monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently while travelling than you would do regularly so that you’re able to maintain proper levels.
Finding Healthy Food Options
One of the important things to do to manage diabetes is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. And finding healthy food options when travelling can be challenging.
Research the restaurants and supermarkets in the place you will be travelling to in advance so that you can have easy access to food. When eating out, opt for healthy foods that are low in carbs and sugar and high in protein and fiber.
Food to Avoid When Travelling with Diabetes
- High-carb foods: Foods like rice, white bread, and pasta contain simple carbs that can cause your blood sugar levels to shoot up. So, it is best to reduce the portions of such foods or, better yet, choose whole-grain options.
- Sugary foods: Cakes, doughnuts, cookies, desserts, and sugary beverages typically have loads of added sugar that can cause your blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, which can be harmful.
- Fried foods: While fried foods like french fries, burgers, samosas, chole bhatura, etc. may be tempting, they are not the best, especially while travelling with diabetes. Not only can these greasy foods cause digestive issues, but they are high in calories and fat and can cause insulin resistance.
- Processed foods: Usually, processed foods like noodles, breakfast cereals, fizzy carbonated beverages, etc. contain added sugar, unhealthy fats, and excess sodium, which are not only harmful to health but can cause spikes in blood sugar.
- Alcohol: Relaxing with alcohol after a long day of sightseeing may sound heavenly, but if taken in excess it can lower blood sugar levels, which is risky for those with diabetes. If you choose to drink, do so moderately and with food or a snack.
Tips to Stay Safe and Healthy While Traveling with Diabetes
It is very important to take certain measures, especially when travelling with diabetes. Here are some tips that can help:
- Move around: Sitting for long periods while travelling, especially for people with diabetes, can increase the risk of clots and discomfort. So, it is advised to get up and move around once every few hours to improve blood circulation and reduce stiffness.
- Relax: After a long journey or flight, give yourself a couple of days to recover before you set off on the next set of activities.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels: Travelling can take a toll on your routine, diet, and diabetes management, leading to fluctuations in your blood glucose levels. Therefore, it's advisable to monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently than usual.
- Plan your itinerary: Ensure that you plan your activities carefully to include timely meals and insulin. While going sightseeing, always carry your snacks and drinks along with you because you may not be able to find food readily available.
- Food and water safety measures: Take extra care of the food and water you consume while travelling. Try to stick to healthy food options and stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water and other liquids. Avoid drinking tap water and eating uncooked foods, as these can cause stomach upsets and impact your blood sugar levels.
- Protect your feet: It is extremely important to take care of your feet while travelling, especially if you have diabetes. Make sure that your footwear is comfortable. Keep checking your feet for any cuts, blisters, scratches, swelling, or redness. Avoid walking barefoot and consider wearing protective footwear, even to the pool or beach. If you notice any signs of inflammation or infection, seek medical attention immediately.
Don’t Let Diabetes Stop You from Travelling
A trip to a new destination may seem overwhelming, especially if you or your travel companion have diabetes. However, it doesn’t have to be! With some proper planning, preparation, and precautions, you can make your travels memorable, safe, and stress-free. Bon voyage!
