Tips To Manage Diabetes While On Travel Vacation - Dr V Mohan

Summer is upon us, and like most of us, you probably enjoy picnics on vacation. Diabetes is not a barrier to vacation; all you need to do is take some special precautions to beat the heat of the summer and anticipate difficult situations.

Getting through the summer heat while on vacation is a huge challenge. Even if you don't have diabetes, these extremely hot summer days can cause dehydration. Make a promise to yourself to prioritize your needs this holiday season. Even though you've worked hard all year to stay on track with managing your diabetes, the holidays may cause you to get off track. Travel, parties, large meals, snack foods at work, and drinking; all of these things make it hard to eat healthily. When you add in days of travel and little planned exercise, staying on track becomes a real challenge.

You can maintain your blood sugar levels and enjoy parties and gatherings just like everyone else if you follow these tips.

• Eat breakfast or snacks earlier in the day and avoid saving carbs for a big meal later.
• It may be more difficult to control your blood sugar if you skip meals.
• Limit the number of starchy foods you put on your plate.
• Although having rolls, sweet potato casserole, and mashed potatoes may be tempting, try to limit yourself to just one.
• Pick fruits and vegetables that are grilled, steamed, or served raw.
• Instead of punch or mixed drinks, choose drinks without calories like water, tea, seltzer, or diet sodas.
• If you decide to drink alcohol, drink it with food and in moderation. Discuss with your medical team whether drinking alcohol is safe for you.
• Enjoy your favourite holiday treats, but eat them slowly, in small portions, and savour the flavour and texture.
• Take a walk with your loved ones after dinner. Exercise will also get you moving, help you stay focused on your goals, and give you a much-needed break. Work out in a cool place like an air-conditioned gym, early in the morning or late at night, and not in high temperatures. Drink water before and after exercising.
• Before you order anything, take a look at all of the food options and consider what you'll eat. Stick to your decision about which foods should be eaten and which should be avoided.
• Avoid eating crackers and chips straight out of the bag; if you do so, do it in moderation.
• Do not hang out close to the food counter at parties. Instead of eating, choose a comfortable spot across the room and concentrate on socializing.
• During the holidays, keep in mind to check your blood sugar regularly, and adding a few more checks on a party day might help you make better decisions.
• The day before a party, go for a walk or your usual exercise class. Focus on it as opposed to saying there isn't time. It probably has more significance than the celebration!
• Dehydration can also occur in diabetes when the normal range of blood glucose levels is not controlled. The body's urine excretion may rise in response to elevated blood glucose levels. As a result, drinking more water is especially important for people with diabetes because dehydration can result in falsely high blood sugar readings.
• Fruit juices, tender coconut water, and other such beverages are, in general, not recommended for people with diabetes. However, you can drink diluted skimmed buttermilk, lemon or tomato juice (without sugar), iced tea (without sugar), Pudina or Tulsi leaves- or Jeera-flavored water, and consume plenty of high-fibre green leafy vegetables like cabbage, greens, plantain stem, bitter gourd, and so on, in addition to plain water.
• Seasonal fruits and vegetables like watermelon, muskmelon, raw mango, and cucumbers can be taken regularly.
• When you are on holiday you may be unable to get the same foods which are suggested by the dietitian, so it is in every case better to go with snacks like whole wheat bread, /multi-grain bread/rice chips/puffed rice and so forth with pre-estimated serving sizes.
• It's better to limit foods that are fried and to avoid foods that are heavily black-charged on the grill.