Managing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) while on the go requires careful planning and a well-stocked travel kit. As more people living with T1D share their daily routines on social media, we’re getting a glimpse into the must-have items they carry to maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout their busy days. We spoke with five T1D influencers about the contents of their travel kits and how they ensure their diabetes management stays on track, whether they’re heading to the gym, running errands, or traveling.
Day-to-Night: Gabby Shacknai’s Lifeline Kit
Gabby Shacknai, a 28-year-old journalist and entrepreneur from New York City, was diagnosed with T1D just after her 27th birthday. She recalls the steep learning curve as she adapted to managing her condition. When packing for a busy day, Shacknai prioritizes snacks like Welch’s Fruit Snacks to quickly boost her blood sugar when needed. Other essentials in her bag include her phone (to monitor her continuous glucose monitor, or CGM), her Omnipod insulin pump’s personal diabetes manager (PDM), an insulin pen, a glucometer, and extra CGM supplies. In addition, Shacknai carries skincare products to combat dryness caused by T1D, such as Byredo hand cream and Lavior’s Diabetic Wound Gel. For more active days, she adds Skin Grip CGM patches to secure her monitor during physical activities and silicone sleeves to protect her insulin bottles.
Gym Ready: Joanna Nicholson’s Quick-Access Supplies
Joanna Nicholson, a 39-year-old Pilates instructor in Toronto, has lived with T1D since she was 12. As a fitness professional and mother of two, she needs a streamlined kit to stay on top of both her T1D management and her workout regimen. Nicholson always packs glucose tablets or gummies, a phone with a closed-loop insulin pump system, a backup pump, insulin pens, and a glucometer. For snacks, she prefers high-protein, low-carb options like Amino Balls, which provide long-lasting energy during workouts. Nicholson values the flexibility and peace of mind her insulin pump offers, ensuring she’s always ready to manage her blood sugar levels on the go.
Baby on Board: Lauren Bongiorno’s T1D Essentials for Mom and Baby
Lauren Bongiorno, a 30-year-old entrepreneur and health coach from New York City, balances her T1D management with caring for her 3-month-old son. She packs her T1D supplies in a diaper bag, keeping her insulin vial, backup pump site, and phone charger close at hand. For low blood sugar episodes, Bongiorno carries an applesauce pouch and a chocolate peanut butter Go Macro protein bar. In addition to her baby’s essentials, she includes LMNT electrolytes to stay hydrated, which is especially important for breastfeeding and maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Business Day: Stephanie Weaver’s On-the-Go Diabetes Monitoring
Stephanie Weaver, 29, a healthcare marketing professional from West Virginia, was diagnosed with T1D during a particularly hectic period in her life. Now a mom of two and an advocate for diabetes awareness, Weaver keeps her T1D supplies organized in a dedicated pouch. It contains insulin pens, a glucometer, test strips, lancets, alcohol wipes, and quick-carb snacks like fruit snacks and bananas. She also ensures her phone is always charged to access CGM data and share it with her healthcare team for real-time monitoring.
Travel-Ready: Taja Cato’s Preparedness for Diabetes Management
Fitness pro and health coach Taja Cato, 35, splits her time between Austin, TX, and Costa Rica. Cato’s travel kit is meticulously planned to prevent any unexpected issues with her T1D management. Her essentials include glucose powder for balancing carbs, a backup glucometer and strips, extra pump sites, an insulin pen, alcohol pads, and ketone testing strips. Cato’s preparedness extends to carrying a glycogen kit in case of a severe low blood sugar emergency, ensuring she can handle any situation while away from home.
These T1D influencers showcase how careful preparation and the right tools make it possible to manage diabetes effectively, whether at work, the gym, or while traveling. With their go-to items in tow, they navigate the daily challenges of T1D with confidence and peace of mind.
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