The holidays are a time for family and thankfulness. Unfortunately, for the almost 29 million Americans with diabetes, holiday travel may bring concerns about meals and diabetic supplies. However, planning ahead and keeping these travel tips in mind can help everyone have an enjoyable, stress-free holiday season!

  1. Keep your routine: Letting go of the daily grind is one of the best parts about the holidays, but don’t leave your care routine behind! Take into consideration time changes and adjust your schedule accordingly to keep your care routine consistent.
  2. Pack extra: Pack twice the amount of diabetic supplies you expect to need, in case of travel delays or other mishaps. Also remember to bring snacks and glucose tablets with you in case your blood glucose drops.
  3. Wear identification: It is important to wear some sort of medical indicator that identifies you as diabetic, especially if you are traveling in an area with a language barrier. If you are going to a country where most people do not speak English, purchase a universal bracelet or necklace.
  4. Bring a cooler: It is often difficult to find healthy snacks on the road. Pack a small cooler with sliced veggies, fresh fruit, and other diabetic-friendly snacks. Also, slide a few bottles of water in the cooler as an alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages. If you need some ideas on what snacks to pack, check out our blog here.
  5. Pack more than your passport: Pack all documentation for your prescriptions as well as your insurance cards and physician’s contact information. It is also a good idea to search and write down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of nearby hospitals and clinics that can provide diabetic care in the event of an emergency, in advance of your travel.
  6. Pack a carry-on: If you are arriving to your destination via plane, pack all your medications and medical information in a carry-on to avoid losing it should your luggage get lost or misplaced. Also, stow away some healthy snacks in the event of delays or a lack of options for your in-flight meal.
    7. To learn more about diabetes and how to manage your diabetes, visit the CDC’s website.

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