Tips for traveling with diabetes

Manage your diabetes while traveling for the holidays.

For many of us, holidays include physical travel and a vacation from our everyday diet. If you have diabetes, the change in routine during this time of year can be a big challenge. Planning ahead can help you manage the holiday season and your diabetes.

Tips for travel plans

• Pack twice the amount of diabetes supplies you think you’ll need, in case of emergencies or delays.
• Keep medications, snacks, meal replacements and glucose gels or tablets with you for easy access.
• When flying, pack all your supplies in your carry-on bag.
  • If a meal is served on the flight, call ahead to request a diabetic meal.
  • If you take insulin, contact the manufacturer for any special instructions on the pressure change of the plane.
• Get any recommended immunizations, such as travel vaccines.
• Always carry or wear your medical information indicating that you are indeed diabetic.

So, what about those holiday meals? Kendra Grinde-Busalacchi, RDN, CDE, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator with Sharp Grossmont Hospital, says diabetes and the holidays can be successfully comanaged.

“Having diabetes should not deter you from enjoying the festivities and traditional meals,” says Grinde-Busalacchi. “With some preparation and planning, you can still celebrate with your favorite holiday dishes.”

Tips for enjoying holiday meals

• Ask the host ahead of time what will be served. Bring a healthy favorite side dish to share.
• Fill at least half of your plate with colorful vegetables.
• Choose dishes without sauces and dressing to keep sodium intake at a minimum.
• Eat a small snack before you go to celebrations, so you don’t arrive hungry. This helps to avoid overeating and making poor food choices.

Staying active during the holidays is also important. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity, five days a week, for a total of 150 minutes per week. If this needs to be broken down into smaller increments throughout the day, that works too.”

Finally, Grinde-Busalacchi offers a valuable piece of advice to everyone that the feast need not be the center of your attention: “Focus on family, friends and activities instead of food.”

Adapted from Sharp Health News

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