Last Updated on December 11, 2024
When you have diabetes, you have to put a little more care into your daily life. Travel is no exception. In fact, traveling with diabetes likely needs even more of your attention than your normal routine!
Here are a few key things to keep in mind — and cross off your to-do list before you leave — to ensure your travels go smoothly and you stay healthy.
See Your Doctor
It’s a good idea to see your doctor fairly regularly anyway. Plus, doing so before your trip ensures you’re healthy enough to go. Be sure to ask questions like if any of the activities you have planned may affect your diabetes or if you need to adjust your insulin if you’re changing time zones.
You should also get a letter stating that you have diabetes and that you need your medical supplies. Having this letter from your doctor will not only help make flying easier (if you’re taking a plane and need to get through security). It will also alert any medical health personnel you may need to your diabetes.
At this visit, be sure to stock up on any extra medications or supplies to ensure you don’t run out while you’re traveling!
Also, consider getting a medical ID bracelet. Hopefully, you won’t need any medical attention while you’re traveling. However, just in case, the professionals need a quick way to know about your diabetes, especially if your doctor’s note is packed away.
Research Your Destination in Advance
A little prep work can go a long way toward ensuring safe, smooth travels. We all spend too much time on the internet, or on our phones looking at social media. So please take just a little time researching your travel schedule, and destinations ahead of time.
Find the Local Pharmacies
Hopefully your doctor wrote you a prescription to take with you, and hopefully you have enough supplies you won’t need to use it. Just in case, though, it’s a good idea to find pharmacies near where you’ll be staying. This is especially important if you’re traveling to foreign countries where processes may differ from what you’re used to.
Check Out Restaurants
Traveling usually means a departure from your normal eating routine, whether that’s timing or the food itself or both. Do some research into the available restaurants near where you’re staying to make sure they have diabetic-friendly options.
Look for restaurants prioritizing organic fruits and vegetables, healthful proteins like fatty fish, and limited amounts of starchy carbs and sugars. Depending on where you’re going, don’t forget that some grocery stores have full-service food areas that can provide things like sandwiches, sushi, or even hot and cold bars.
Explore Exercise Options
One of the best ways to manage your diabetes is with regular exercise. Now, if you’re going on vacation, you might want to rest and recharge and not worry about working out, and that’s okay! However, if exercise is something you want to continue on your travels, check out options beforehand.
For everywhere you may want to exercise, check their safety and sanitation requirements first. Some places may insist you stay masked, bring your own hand sanitizer, or have special cleaning requirements in-between guests.
If you’re staying at a hotel, see if they have a gym available. If so, be sure to call ahead to ask what their usage and cleanliness requirements are. A quick 30 minute jog or walk on a treadmill is a great way to get a little exercise while you’re traveling.
Staying at an AirBNB, hostel, or other type of housing that may not have a gym? See what nearby gyms offer drop-in options instead of needing a membership.
If you prefer to exercise not in a gym, explore outdoor or bodyweight options. Look into nearby parks for a pleasant place to go for a run (or even do yoga). Consider bringing resistance bands for a little extra challenge, as they usually don’t take much room in your luggage.
Consider Travel Insurance
Especially with various travel restrictions, insurance can save you a bunch of money and hassle. Whether you’re flying or need to insure your stay at your hotel, have a way to get your money back if your plans suddenly change. Depending on the type you get, insurance can cover things that aren’t your fault, like a new restriction or a medical emergency. It may be a wise decision to review some quotes, and options for travel insurance.
Pack Smart
Once you’re prepped about your destination, it’s time to think about packing. Please make sure you alot proper time to complete this.
Your Luggage
If you’re flying, keep your medical supplies in your carry-on bag. This is where having a doctor’s note will help make security go more smoothly. The TSA also offers notification cards you can download and give to the officers so they don’t delay you based on your medical supplies.
Some good news for diabetics who are flying: you’re exempt from the 3.4 ounce rule for your medical supplies, including gel packs to keep insulin cool and fast-acting carbs like fruit juice.
Not flying? It’s still a good idea to pack your medical supplies in a separate, small bag you can keep with you either in the passenger-side footwell of your car or in your travel-mate’s lap. Having quick access to your glucose tabs and monitoring equipment can go a long way toward managing your diabetes while on the road.
Also, if you’re driving, make sure to test your blood sugar a little more frequently than you ordinarily would. Having blood sugar that’s too high or low can make driving dangerous.
Take Snacks
Even if you’re flying, it’s a good idea to pack diabetic-friendly snacks. Good ideas for plane travel include non-perishables like trail mix (without dried fruit), energy bites, and raw almonds. Check with your airline to make sure perishables like fresh fruits and veggies are okay before packing them.
If your flight is long enough to include a meal, definitely call the airline before your trip to make sure it’s diabetic-friendly. If it’s not, ask about options you can order that will suit your nutritional needs or if you can pack your own entire meal. (This is yet another place having a note from your doctor can help smooth things over.)
If you’re driving, you have even more options! Pack a cooler with fresh fruits, vegetables, hard boiled eggs, hummus, turkey roll-ups, or tuna salad. Keep similar non-perishables handy, too, and potentially include things like protein bars as well.
Safe Travels!
With a little prep work and some strategic packing, traveling with diabetes shouldn’t be an issue for you. Just don’t forget to pack your glucose testing kit with extra strips! Remember to put in just a little time preparing for your trip. Nothing is easy with diabetes and just a little extra planning can make sure your travels are safe!
