The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of decorating, gift-giving, family, friends, food and possibly travel. While all of these things are what make the holidays the most special time of the year, they can also cause stress for some – especially those living with diabetes.
Holiday food indulgences and travel can be challenging with diabetes if you are not prepared, but they can absolutely be enjoyed if you take the time to plan ahead.
How can I travel during the holidays and still manage my diabetes effectively?
Here are five tips for holiday travel from our team of board-certified endocrinologists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology:
- Check in with your physicians and endocrinologist and make sure that all your prescriptions are filled before you leave town.
- Take care when packing your medications and bring extra supplies to have with you in case of a travel delay or an emergency (insulin, test strips, syringes, batteries for glucose monitors, etc.). If traveling by airplane, stash your medications in a carry-on bag so that they are easily accessible and not stuck in checked luggage if it’s lost.
- Pack healthy snacks for your journey so that you do not have to rely on airport or rest stop food that is typically full of added sweeteners, carbs, fats and sodium. Safe options that will help keep blood sugars low include hard-boiled eggs, sliced veggies or fruit, nuts, portable salads with grilled meats, or sandwiches on whole-wheat/low-carb bread or tortillas.
- Once you have reached your destination, adjust the timing of your medications or injections to fit the new time zone you’ve arrived in, if applicable. Set alarms for yourself on phones, smartwatches or Ipads so that you do not miss your scheduled dosages while enjoying your holiday activities.
- Test often to avoid any serious blood sugar highs or lows. Take into consideration your surroundings also and know that higher altitudes and cooler or warmer temperatures could have an effect on your readings.
Finally, remember to enjoy your trip and special time with family and friends!
For information on how to safely navigate airport security with diabetes medications and medical supplies, visit the TSA/ U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
Try new and festive foods in moderation and practice healthy portion control to avoid overindulging and unexpected spikes. More on smart eating tips for the holidays from TD&E can be found here.
Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.
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