Monitoring Diabetes Away From Home

Being away from home or on vacation can interfere with diabetes and weight loss management. Diabetes-friendly dining options are not always easy to come by, and managing insulin levels on an irregular schedule can be tricky.

Discussing diabetes

The decision of when and how to talk to the friends and family members you’re visiting about your condition is up to you. However, if your trip includes family meals that will be home cooked, or you plan to be eating with others fairly often, talking to your chef or host ahead of time about your dietary needs might not be a bad idea. This will give them an opportunity to stock up on healthier items and usually provides more options when dining together.

A good way to tell people about diabetes is to simply explain to them what it is caused by (abnormal insulin levels), and how you need to treat it (insulin injections, or eating/exercise habits). Restaurant selection and meal preparation can be much simpler when everyone is aware and supportive of your dietary concerns.

Tracking blood sugar levels away from home

The easiest way to monitor and control blood sugar (for both type I and type II) is to stick to a schedule. For 2 weeks prior to your trip, write down your insulin levels, time of meals, injection information, normal snack times, exercise routines, etc.-- anything that pertains to your diabetes schedule. Take this information with you. Though environmental conditions and travel activities may affect your blood sugar levels (slightly), having this information on hand will provide a good reference point of where you should be and when things should be happening.

Many people have found success in programming alerts into their cell phones to help remind them to take their medication or stay on schedule. Most people have a phone on them at all times, and this is a simple but effective step can be taken and tailored well in advance.

Note -- When making a schedule, don’t forget to take into account any time zone changes!

Hotel insulin storage

Most hotel rooms have a mini fridge in the room that may be used. If the room does not have one, let the receptionist at the front desk know that you will need a room with a refrigerator—the hotel should be able to provide one at no charge.

If staying with others (in a home or hotel), don’t forget to let your party know how/where you will be storing supplies.


http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/when-you-travel.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/type-2-diabetes-lifestyle/traveling-tips-for-diabetes.aspx