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Alert: Product and Recall NoticesHoliday Tips Inspired By You: 5 Ways To Manage Diabetes This Season
‘Tis the season to reconnect with loved ones and special holiday traditions. While routines often change this time of year, managing diabetes doesn’t. To help you plan ahead, we’ve gathered a list of ways you can stay festive and inspired all season long while managing diabetes.
1. Stock Up on Supplies
It’s a busy season and being prepared with the right supplies and accessories ahead of time is important. Be sure to have enough supplies to cover the holidays, especially if you’re traveling. And load up on test strips since you’ll want to check your blood glucose levels more often, especially if you’re having variations in your diet and schedule.
When you’re planning attire for special occasions, like office parties and family dinners, make sure you have the right pump accessory, like a belt clip or pump case, to help you with your festive wear.
2. Brush up on Travel Resources
The most important aspect of a trip happens before you travel. Take note of our travel resources for a travel checklist, travel loaner program, and airport security information. Write down your pump settings, review airport security guidelines, and remember to pack snacks to cover the duration of your trip.
3. Get Creative to Keep Moving
It’s easy to place exercise on the back burner during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate exercise into your day, you might need to get creative (especially when the weather begins to change). Grab your loved ones, bundle up, and grab your skis, snowboard, or ice skates. If you don’t live in a snowy climate, visit your favorite summer hiking or biking trail and find the beauty in looking at it in a different season. Those of us with less coordination can always enjoy a walk around the neighborhood or in a local park.
Remembering staying active can help improve your mood, reduce stress, and allows you to take time just for you during the season of giving. Did you know that when you exercise after taking a bolus it could help your body use the insulin more efficiently, therefore lowering your blood glucose faster1? This also means you might need to take less insulin to lower your blood glucose after a big meal.
4. Look Up Carb Counts
The holidays are decked with feasts of signature recipes, traditional sweets, and delicious desserts. Since carb content in most of these recipes can sometimes be difficult to determine, revert to the basics of carb counting, utilize your favorite website and use your best judgment.
Try your best to eat normally instead of skipping meals to save calories for one big meal. And be strategic when selecting your plate — fill it up with veggies and proteins first and stick to smaller portions of your favorite carb-heavy sides, like stuffing and mashed potatoes.
5. Don’t Forget Self-Care
If your to-do lists start to get very long with people to see, shopping and grocery lists, and meals to prep, then stress will likely come on the side. Stress is an important thing to manage when you have diabetes because it can directly impact your blood glucose levels. To keep stress at a minimum, remember to check in with yourself and manage your expectations. Prioritize the things that matter most, like spending time with family, reconnecting with friends, and staying active and eating well.
With these helpful resources in the back of your mind, be safe and enjoy this special time of year with those who matter to you most.
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About Author
Amanda Griswold
Principal Specialist, Social MediaAmanda Griswold started working for Medtronic in 2005, after graduating with a degree in Journalism. She’s held a variety of roles including sales, professional relations and marketing. During this time she also obtained her MBA. Amanda became personally involved with diabetes when she met her husband, who has type 1 diabetes, in 2008. They have a unique story about how they met, which you can read about on the LOOP blog. Since she knows how diabetes affects someone, she’s passionate about making life easier while living with diabetes, from products on the market to customer service. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.
Thank you for the post, It was very informative.
I have a hard time with the sensors they will come off to easy or hit blood. the 670g pump is ok, but I keep running out of sensors to soon. I have one sensor left and I don’t know when I will get more.
I’ sure this can be scary, Vaga. Keep in mind, while sensors are approved for use for up to 7 days, any sensor that has not lasted 5 days or more, may be eligible for a replacement with our 24-Hour Technical Support team. Feel free to give them a call at 800.646.4633, option 1.
please review sites that refer to Medtronic on Facebook. Customer service has really gone down. You are waiting and waiting for supplies etc. I feel “better” knowing I am not alone but I wonder if Medtronic should be my choice.
We understand the frustration caused by the supply challenges, Kathie and please know we are working on it. If you have any specific concerns you’d like to discuss, please give our team a call at 800.646.4633, option 2.
Very nice post. You seem to have a great family life, not to mention your knowledge of diabetes and the best insulin pumps, cgm’s money can buy. As always, thank you for your input.
Ron Nole
I have recently been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and also a type 1 diabetic for 60 years. What if any complications may occur with the new diagnosis in insulin resistance?
We appreciate you reaching out and I’m sorry to hear about your new diagnosis. This is a good conversation to have with your healthcare team, as we cannot provide medical advice. We wish you the best of luck.