5 Tips for Traveling When You Have Diabetes
Jul 13, 2026
Living with diabetes can be challenging. The disease requires careful blood glucose monitoring and staying on top of dietary management. When you travel, handling these tasks becomes even more challenging.
Many residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico, rely on Edmee Rodriguez, MD, for professional diabetes management. Partnering with Dr. Rodriguez ensures you have access to a highly skilled provider when issues arise and connects you with a valuable source of knowledge and guidance for living with diabetes.
As summer gets into full swing, let’s explore some tips for managing diabetes during travel.
As you’re choosing your outfits and considering how much space you have in your bags, be sure to set aside time to create a packing list for your health needs. Include your medications and syringes, if needed.
If you use testing strips and/or a device to monitor your blood glucose, be sure to include those items, as well as batteries if necessary.
Some security screenings require that medication be in the original containers or prescription bottles. This can save some aggravation as you go through security checkpoints.
Few of us relish the thought of a meal at the airport. Not only are the choices (and often, the time) limited, but airport food is notoriously expensive. So avoid the hassle by bringing along your own healthy snacks.
Choose foods that will travel well without refrigeration. Avoid items that might not pass security checks, such as liquids. Some great options include dried fruit and nuts, cut veggies, sandwiches on whole wheat bread, hard-boiled eggs, and pre-dressed salads.
Few things can wreck a vacation faster than losing access to your diabetes medications or blood sugar monitoring devices. You can reduce your risk by packing these items in a carry-on bag or small duffel bag that you’ll keep with you during travel.
But even with the best prep, things can still go awry. So consider asking Dr. Rodriguez to give you a printed prescription for your diabetes essentials. That way, if your supplies are lost or stolen, you can replace them quickly. Of course, this only helps if you keep the prescription in a different bag!
Summer travel involves treats, and there is nothing wrong with indulging in small portions of a few favorites, like ice cream or pie. But the majority of the food you eat while traveling should be in line with your larger diabetes nutrition plan.
So think about ways to stay on track before you leave for your trip. That might include shopping for meal ingredients when you arrive, or looking up restaurant menus ahead of time to find options that are both healthy and delicious. You should also think about the schedule for your trip and make sure there is ample time to find something healthy to eat, no matter where you are.
Very often, summer travel is filled with plenty of movement, so you might not need to think much about staying active. But there's still likely to be downtime when you’re not moving as much.
If your trip involves long rides in a car, plane, or train, be sure to get up and move around at least once an hour. This helps keep your circulation and digestion moving along and reduces your risk of blood clots.
Of course, be sure to balance movement with rest. Prioritizing sleep during your trip can help you make the most of your experience.
If you’re searching for a new resource for diabetes management, Edmee Rodriguez, MD, is a wonderful choice. Our office is currently accepting new patients, and you can schedule a visit online or by phone, whichever works best for your schedule.