Taking Care of Your Diabetes When You're Away From Home

Taking care of your diabetes, even on vacation, is very important.

Here are some tips:

  • Follow your meal plan as much as possible when you eat out. Always carry a snack with you in case you have to wait to be served.

  • Limit your drinking of beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages. Ask your diabetes educator how much alcohol you can safely drink. Eat something when you drink.

  • If you're taking a long trip by car, check your blood glucose before driving. Stop and check your blood glucose every 2 hours. Always carry snacks like fruit, crackers, juice, or soda in the car in case your blood glucose drops too low.

  • Ask ahead of time for a diabetes meal if you're travelling by plane. Most airlines serve special meals for people with health needs. Carry food (like crackers or fruit) with you in case meals are late.

  • Carry your medicines (insulin, insulin needles, and diabetes pills) and your blood testing supplies with you. Never put them in your checked luggage.

  • Ask your health care team how to adjust your medicines, especially your insulin, if you're travelling across time zones.

  • Take comfortable, well-fitting shoes on vacation. You'll probably be walking more than usual, so you should take extra care of your feet.

  • If you're going to be away for a long time, ask your doctor for a written prescription for your diabetes medicine and the name of a doctor in the place you're going to visit.

  • Don't count on buying extra supplies when you're travelling, especially if you're going to another country. Different countries use different kinds of insulin, needles, and pills.

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