Great Getaways
Book a week at the beach. Plan a camping retreat. Visit with faraway family. Here are some self-care tips that can help ensure healthy, happy travel.
You've been waiting all year to take a much-needed vacation. But before you hit the road or hop on that plane, remember: Wherever you go, diabetes goes with you. The good news: Traveling with diabetes doesn't have to be complicated—if you make plans to take care of yourself long before you leave home.
Put everything on paper. Schedule a checkup with your doctor. Then ask him or her to draw up a letter explaining your medical condition and noting all supplies you'll likely need, advises Karmeen Kulkarni, MS, RD, an advanced-diabetes manager and certified diabetes educator in Salt Lake City. Airport screeners or museum guards may scrutinize blood glucose meters, lancing devices, and medicine bottles, so a doctor's letter can help you get through security. It's also a good idea to have your doctor give you a prescription for any supplies or medicine you might need while you're away.
Be smart with supplies. Taking twice as much medicine and testing supplies as you normally need is a good rule of thumb—and find out in advance where you can get more if necessary. When traveling by plane, it's best to keep diabetes essentials in a container you carry with you, and never put supplies or medicine in checked bags that could get misdirected or lost. If you're going by car, be careful not to store medicines in locations where heat can damage them, such as on rear-window shelves or in the glove box or trunk.
Travel wise: If you're flying, keep all diabetes medicine and essentials in a carry-on bag rather than in checked luggage.
Don't leave food to chance. Airlines, airports, and highway restaurants might not serve up balanced meals and snacks. Stay in charge by bringing your own food. For the highway, pack a small cooler, suggests Kulkarni. For air travel, carry raisins, granola bars, or trail mix. You never know when you might get stuck on the runway or in air-traffic holding patterns. If you're planning a visit to the home of a relative or friend, make diplomatic inquiries about food before you arrive.
Stay active. If you enjoy daily walks, pack your walking shoes. "You want to be as active as you normally are when you're at home," says Kulkarni. Whether you're going by plane, train, or car, sitting for long periods of time can elevate your blood sugar levels. Plan to get out of your seat or stop and stretch for at least 10 minutes every 2 hours. Remember that even small variations in your routine, such as loading the car, can throw off your blood sugar. So watch your activity levels carefully even before your trip begins.
Keep track of the time. The best part of vacation is just cutting loose and letting the days go by. But when you have diabetes, you need to remember to regularly check blood sugar levels and take medicine. To keep yourself on schedule if you're traveling to a different time zone, leave your watch or alarm clock set to your home time for at least the first day or two. And don't rely on your cell phone clock to keep you straight; most phones adjust their clocks automatically when you cross time zones.
Plan ahead: Good planning before you leave home can help ensure that your trip is safe, fun, and hassle-free.
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