As of 2007, at least 23.6 million children and adults in the United States --- about 7.8 percent of the population --- had diabetes, according to the American Diabetic Association. The organization predicts an estimated 1.6 million new cases each year in adults aged 20 years or older. Managing diabetes poses a challenge, especially when traveling, so plan ahead and pack for potential emergencies.
General Traveling Rules
Discuss your travel plans with your health care provider or diabetes educator to develop a strategy tailored to your mode of travel, destination, diet restrictions and medication schedule. If you take insulin and will cross time zones, ask for a specific schedule to use in both directions. Plan to check your blood sugar level every four to six hours because your routine and activity level will not remain constant, and take at least twice as many testing supplies as you think you will need. Expect travel delays, especially if you plan to fly, as well as late meals and unsuitable food choices, suggests Diabetic Lifestyle.
Air Travel
Call the airlines at least 24 hours in advance to request a special meal. These meals vary among the airlines, so ask for a description of the food in a diabetic meal, as well as those offered to vegetarians and dieters, according to Frommer's. Some airlines offer diabetics a low-calorie plate without sugar or fried food, while others include jelly and other sweets in their diabetic meals, so bringing your own food may be the better choice. Pack a small cooler with healthy foods like grilled chicken or a turkey sandwich, fruit, nuts, carrots, celery, cheese, crackers and yogurt for a meal and snacks. If you must buy food at the airport, look for whole fruit, low-sugar protein bars, grilled chicken sandwiches, yogurt and fruit salads.
Car Travel
Traveling by car offers the most control for the diabetic because you can bring your own food and eat when you like. Take regular breaks for exercise and relaxation, and bring along a picnic of carrots, celery, cheese, ham, turkey, yogurt and fruit. Resist the urge to eat while driving to keep yourself awake; instead, pull over for a rest stop or, if you must eat in the car, have some raisins and nuts on hand. For your evening meal, look for a restaurant that offers grilled meats or seafood rather than a buffet known for its high-calorie choices. On a long road trip, pick up healthy food in a grocery store each evening so that you can eat yogurt, fruit and cereal for breakfast in the room instead of the pastries offered by your hotel. If you take insulin, expect that you may need less than usual since your activity level will be lower.
Ship Travel
With food available everywhere on a cruise, you may find it challenging to choose wisely and keep your blood sugar under control. Fortunately, many cruise lines offer a spa menu in the dining rooms that offer low-fat, low-sugar choices, and will also work with you to adapt the regular menu to your particular needs, according to Diabetes Self-Management. If you prefer to eat at one of the buffets, enjoy fresh fruit, grilled meats, salads, seafood and whole grain breads, but skip the sugary desserts and heavy pasta dishes. Remember to request a box lunch ahead of time if you plan to take a shore excursion during a mealtime and keep a few snacks --- cheese and crackers, fruit and nuts --- in your cabin's refrigerator. You may find that the walking, swimming and dancing on a cruise uses up more energy than usual, so check your blood sugar level frequently and adjust your medication and food intake accordingly.
International Travel
Learn about the local cuisine before you travel so you know what to expect. Make a list of appropriate food choices in the country's language so that you can point to it in restaurants, or learn the words and phrases necessary for ordering healthy choices. Look through your library's travel guidebooks for restaurants at your destination that serve healthy foods, and ask your hotel's employees for suggestions as well. Ask about customary meal times, too, as some cultures eat a snack in the afternoon and dinner late in the evening. In certain countries, avoid tap water, ice and food from street vendors to avoid contracting a food-borne illness that will aggravate your diabetes symptoms.
References
- Eat Right: Eating Out
- Diabetes Self-Management: Taking Your Diabetes on a Cruise
- MayoClinic.com: Be Prepared for Traveling With Diabetes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Managing Diabetes During the Holidays
- Frommer's: Travel Health & Safety --- Decoding Airlines' Special Meals
- American Diabetes Association: When You Travel
