Travel dos and don'ts for diabetics - Sevensisters Post

Nowadays, the lifestyle and the surge in standard of living make travelling an accolade to everyday mundane activities of home and profession. Be it a family tour or a professional one, ?travelling? always sounds enthralling. According to the Indian Tour Operators? Promotion Council, hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals travel abroad every year to explore foreign lands for varied reasons. Not only outbound travel but domestic tourism is also flourishing in India.

But travelling may not always be welcomed by many people owing to a number of causes, health issues being one of the prime reasons. The current scenario holds a grim picture with many lifestyle-related disorders like obesity, diabetes and heart ailments on the upsurge. The statistical data on prevalence of diabetes illustrates that 40.9 million people suffered from diabetes in the year 2007 and the incidence is projected to increase to 69.9 million by 2025.

Happy journeys and pleasant trips may be a far cry especially for people with diabetes because often travelling comes as an emotional and physical burden for them. They remain stressed about the qualms of their meal and blood glucose management and, more often than not, end with fluctuating blood sugar levels because of erratic meal timings and unhealthy binging.

Virtually, it is simple and easy for people with diabetes to stay at bay from such complications of blood glucose fluctuation. A little rational planning and preparation beforehand can help them sustain their focus on their destination rather than on diabetes.

Some important precautionary and preventive measures for people with diabetes prior to travelling are:

* See your healthcare provider prior to travelling to assess the current level of diabetes control and to get guidance on various diabetes management issues.

* If you are on insulin, make sure to store it in a safe place, away from direct sunlight. Insulin loses its potency when subjected to extremes in temperature.

* While travelling or during a trip, if you eat out quite frequently, take extra care in making right food choices.

* Watch your meal timings and avoid long gaps in between meals.

* Avoid skipping meals as it may lead to hypoglycaemia (dangerously low level of blood glucose).

* Keep some snacks handy while travelling to maintain blood glucose levels.

Tips for diabetics

* Patients with dietary restrictions should contact their airline in advance about special meal options.

*The necessary medications and supplies should be packed in carry-on luggage rather than check-
in baggage.

* Consult your doctor regarding time zone changes, jet-lag and drug and insulin dosage.

* Obtain a travel itinerary showing departure and arrival times, durations of flights, and time differences between the points of arrival and departure.

* Remember to keep a doctor?s letter for Customs officials regarding your medical supplies, in case you need medical treatment overseas.

* If travelling abroad, prepare a list of suitable foods available there in
advance to ease your meal plans.

* Different food and sitting for long periods can make your blood glucose level rise. Remember to test your blood glucose level while flying.

* Stand up and walk around as often as possible to increase circulation, keep blood glucose levels under control and prevent clots.

* Healthy snacks which are fibrerich, low-fat and low-calorie, taken in between the main meals, are ideal for people with diabetes, especially while travelling.

* Stick to the basics instead of binging on fat-rich preparations.

* Baked dishes are better than fried preparations as they offer lesser calories and fat.

* Keep a check on portion sizes while eating out.

* Have fibre-rich foods including whole grain preparations and salads.

* Drink plenty of water and avoid having sugary drinks and alcohol.

Snacking in between the main meals is a life-saving elixir for people with diabetes. Not only doesnacking curb the hunger pangs by enhancing satiety, but it also defendthe person from abrupt ebb and flow of blood glucose. Snacks prepared from whole grainlike oats and ragi are rich in fibrehave a low glycemic index (GI) and slack the process of digestion releasing the sugar gradually in the blood stream unlike simple carbohydrates which promptly raise the blood glucose levels.

Oats and ragi, being good sourceof soluble fibre, have been foundto have cholesterol-loweringeffects, thus diminishing the risk ocardiac disorders. It is best to have baked snackwhich have minimal fat rather than feasting on fat and calorie-dense fried preparations.

Baked snacksenriched with grains like oats and ragi, are fibre-rich; low-fat, transfat-free and low on calorie, and are the best pick for people with diabetes while travelling. Keeping a stock of such snacks before departing for a trip is better than regretting later. People with diabetes can bid farewelto their anxieties about blood fluctuation if a little preparation prior to travelling and adequate precautions while travelling are taken.

IANS

Source: http://sevensisterspost.com/?p=23069

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