ARFP

Diabetes will not stop any of your travel plans. You can still travel by car, plane, train or boat. You can visit family and friends in another state or another country. You will need to plan ahead the details of your diabetes care as you travel.

What do I do about planning meals?

It is hard to follow a meal plan when you are not at home. It is easy to eat more food and foods that are higher in carbohydrates and calories. This can cause high blood sugar levels. You will have more energy and even feel better if you do not overeat on your trip.

Here are some meal plan tips:

Follow your meal plan as close as you can.
Eat close to your usual meal times.
Learn how to judge serving sizes.
Have some food with you in cane you can not ear near the same time.

What do I do about exercise?

Your activity level may be different on a trip. Some trips will be more active than normal. If you know you will be more active, you might want to have a second pair of comfortable shoes with you to change about midday. You will need to check your blood sugar to be sure you stay in range.

For other trips you will get less exercise than normal. If your day will be less active you could plan for a walk break in morning and afternoon.

What do I do about my medicines?

You will still need our normal medications and insulin on the trip. Take extra in case you are delayed returning home. You might want a spare prescription with you. If you use one of the large national pharmacies (like Wal-Mart or Walgreens) the store wherever you are can access your prescriptions on their computer network if you run out or loose your medications. If you choose to use a mail-order way to get your medications, you may have no way to get emergency medicine. Keep your medicine with you and not in checked baggage.

What should I do about blood sugar testing?

Because your routine will be different you may need to test more often. Be sure to keep your testing supplies with you.

Other tips.

Tips for traveling by car:

Do not drive if your blood sugar is low.
Stop and walk around for 10 minutes every 2 hours.
Cary your insulin inside the car, not the trunk. Use a small cooler.
Have some food in the car in case you can not stop to eat.
Your blood sugar may get higher because you are less active, so you may need to eat less or take more insulin.

Tips for traveling by airplane:

Keep your medicines, pills, insulin and testing supplies in your carry-on bag and not in the checked luggage.
Cary some food in case you have a low blood sugar reaction.
Drink extra water on the flight.

Tips for traveling to other countries:

Have identification that says you have diabetes.
Be sure to have extra medication and test supplies.

Other ideas for travel:

Have identification that says you have diabetes.
Keep a list of your medications and doses in your wallet or purse.