Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
Whether you use insulin, an insulin pump, a CGM, or a blood glucose meter, having a few diabetes essentials with you can make unexpected lows, device failures, delays, and other everyday situations much easier to handle.
Your diabetes bag doesn't need to be huge or complicated. The right supplies depend on how you manage your diabetes, but most people with diabetes will want access to fast-acting glucose, blood sugar monitoring supplies, medication, backup supplies, and emergency information.
Here's a practical diabetes bag checklist to help you decide what to carry with you.
1. Fast-Acting Glucose for Low Blood Sugar
This is THE most important item in your bag– no question!
When a low blood sugar hits, you don’t have to be scrambling for something to eat. Fast-acting glucose can be a convenient option for treating lows. If you're not sure how much glucose you need, check out our hypoglycemia treatment guide.
2. Blood Sugar Monitoring Supplies
Whether you use a CGM or fingersticks, make sure you have what you need to check your blood sugar at any time. If you rely on a CGM, it's also worth having a backup way to check your glucose if your sensor fails or gives you unexpected readings.
Think: Target checkout line, in your car (while parked, of course!), or during those random moments where you don’t feel quite right.
3. Insulin & Other Daily Medications
If you need to take insulin or other medications while you're away from home, make sure you have what you'll need for the day. Follow your medication's storage instructions, particularly for insulin and other temperature-sensitive medications.
If you're putting together a more comprehensive diabetes emergency kit, you'll want to include additional backup supplies and medications beyond what you typically carry in your everyday bag.
4. Backup Diabetes Supplies
Murphy’s Law says your pump site or CGM will fail at the most inconvenient time. Pack extra diabetes supplies when you can like extra infusion sets, pump supplies, and CGM sensors.
No room? Minimalist backup plan: one insulin vial + syringe for pump failure, and a meter + test strips for CGM failure.
5. Nonperishable Snacks
Fast-acting glucose is for treating lows. A separate snack can be useful when you need something more substantial, you're stuck somewhere longer than expected, or your next meal is delayed.
Great snack options include: granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter packets, crackers, meat sticks, or anything snack sized! Being hangry is hard enough– being hangry with diabetes? No thank you.
6. Medical ID
A medical ID is one of those things every diabetes should carry (or wear!). It can be a bracelet, necklace, keychain, or even a little laminated card in your wallet. Just make sure it includes your name, emergency contact, medical conditions, medications and any allergies.
If something happens and you can’t speak for yourself, this information is priceless. Make it cute, make it you, but most importantly, make sure it’s there!
7. Portable Charger
Your phone is practically part of your diabetes tech ecosystem– CGM data, pump controls, alerts, emergency contacts. A dead phone can quickly become more than an inconvenience. Toss in a small portable charger and call it a day.
8. Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration matters. A lot. Especially when your blood sugars are running higher than usual. Keep a refillable bottle with you so you can sip throughout the day without relying on the nearest gas station or coffee shop.
Bonus points if you throw in a few hydration packets too.
9. Hand Sanitizer
With diabetes, there’s already enough poking going on– so let’s keep things clean. A tiny bottle of hand sanitizer comes in heady before fingerstickers or after touching questionable public surfaces.
10. Travel Sharps Container
Used pen needles, syringes, test strips and pump supplies all need a safe place to go. A mini sharps container or even a small plastic bottle with a tight lid works great.
No more random rogue needles or 47 test strips hiding in the bottom of your bag.
11. Glucagon Emergency Kit
If your doctor prescribed glucagon for severe lows, keep it in your bag and make sure the people around you– family, friends, coworkers– know where it is and how to use it.
You’ll likely never need it (knock on wood), but if you do, you’ll be grateful it’s there.
Your Diabetes Bag Checklist
TL;DR? No worries. Here’s the spark notes version:
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Blood sugar monitoring supplies
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Insulin & other daily medications
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Backup diabetes supplies
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Extra snacks
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Medical ID
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Portable charger
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Hand sanitizer
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Travel sharps container
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Glucagon emergency kit
About Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD
Amanda Ciprich, a registered dietitian with a specialization in type 1 diabetes, was diagnosed with T1D herself at the age of 18. With her expertise and personal experience, she has authored two books, including "The Caregiver's Guide to Diabetes: Practical Advice for Caring for Your Loved One." As the founder of T1D Nutritionist, a virtual insurance-based private practice, Amanda provides counseling and guidance to individuals with T1D and their families, supporting them in effectively managing diabetes.
This article was medically reviewed by Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD.
