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Here’s how to stay healthy, however you travel

These tips can help you when you’re away from home:

• Get all your vaccines and immunizations, or shots, before you travel. Find out what shot you need for where you’re going, and make sure you get the right shots on time.
• Follow your healthy eating plan as much as possible when you eat out. Always carry a snack with you in case you have to wait for a waiter to serve you.
• Limit alcoholic beverages. Ask your healthcare team how many alcoholic beverages you can safely drink. Eat something when you drink to prevent low blood glucose.
• If you’re taking a long trip by car, check your blood glucose levels before driving. Stop and check your blood glucose levels every 2 hours.
• Always carry your diabetes medicines and supplies in the car where you can reach them in case your blood glucose levels drop too low.
• Keep your medical insurance card, emergency phone numbers, and a first-aid kit handy.
• Take a special insulated bag to carry your insulin to keep it from freezing or getting too hot.
• In case you can’t leave for home on time, bring twice the amount of diabetes supplies and medicines you normally need.
• Take comfortable, well-fitting shoes on vacation. You’ll probably be walking more than usual. 
• Wear or carry an identification tag or card that says you have diabetes.
• If you’re going to be away for a long time, ask your doctor for a written prescription for your diabetes medicines and the name of a doctor in the place you’re going to visit. 
• Don’t count on buying extra supplies when you’re traveling, especially if you’re going to another country. Different countries use different kinds of diabetes medicines. Bring extra supplies for taking insulin and testing your blood glucose levels in case of loss or breakage.

These tips can help you when you’re flying on a plane:

• Ask your healthcare team in advance how to adjust your medicines, especially your insulin, if you’re traveling across time zones.
• Take a letter from your doctor stating you have diabetes. The letter should include a list of all the medical supplies and medicines you need on the plane. In the letter, the doctor should also include a list of any devices that shouldn’t go through an x-ray machine.
• Carry your diabetes medicines and your blood testing supplies with you on the plane. Never put these items in your checked baggage.
• Bring food for meals and snacks on the plane.
• If you use an insulin pump, ask airport security to check the device by hand. X-ray machines can damage insulin pumps, whether the pump is on your body or in your luggage.
• When on a plane, get up from your seat and walk around when possible. 

Published on February 12, 2015.

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. February 12, 2014.