How to manage diabetes while enjoying fall activities

Once again, summer has come to a close and autumn has arrived. While the change of season and shift in activities is definitely welcomed, it can present new challenges and considerations around how to manage diabetes.

For me, a new season provides a convenient diabetes sync point. It's a reminder to replenish my low blood sugar supplies and adjust my carbohydrate portions if need be. These small management tweaks allow me to get in front of any diabetes curveballs in order to truly enjoy the fall season.

Here's some insight into the autumn activities my family loves and how I balance my diabetes management needs amid all the fall fun.

Ensuring healthy harvests

Nothing says "fall" quite like a warm mug of apple cider or my personal favorite — a buttery slice of pumpkin cheesecake. But these fall flavors can quickly rack up carbohydrate counts!

I like to water down apple cider to give my insulin requirements a little breathing room and cut down on the sweetness. Sugar-free or low-carb options are also worth considering as a way to indulge without the high carbohydrate counts. You don't have to let type 1 diabetes (T1D) limit your fall experiences, but it's important to be mindful that these seasonal foods can have an impact on blood sugar.

I also like to use the change in season to adjust my carbohydrate portions. I'm guilty of eyeballing measurements most of the time, but a few times a year, I like to diligently measure out portions before eating. This exercise reminds me what half a cup of ice cream really looks like and where a cup of orange juice falls in my breakfast glass.

Pursuing autumnal assignments

With the cooler weather comes a new set of household chores. If you're heading outside to rake up a yard full of leaves or clean the deck off in preparation for winter, consider keeping some fast-acting glucose nearby. Physical activity — disguised as "chores" — can have similar effects on blood glucose as working out.

I try to keep some diabetes supplies on hand that I can use if need be. For instance, glucose gel packs are easy to store in a pocket, quick to ingest, and provide a rapid rise in glucose levels when needed.

If you use an insulin pump, consider making use of the "activity" feature or setting a decreased temporary basal rate to account for the physical activity. You can also keep an eye on your levels by checking your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or performing blood sugar checks frequently. This can help you avoid experiencing especially low or sustained blood sugar drops.

Enjoying fall festivities

Last year, my kids picked out the largest possible pumpkin in the patch, requiring their loving mother, who lives with T1D, to lug the orange squash monstrosity across the entire farm. The whole time, I kept thinking how similar it was to a gym workout!

It's important to keep in mind that even fall-themed fun can include a bit more physical activity than planned, so keeping fast-acting glucose on hand is always a good idea. The strength required to carve a pumpkin or the balance needed to stay seated during a hayride may require a few extra blood sugar checks. The cooler weather also has a way of enticing us to take walks outside and push a bike ride a bit farther than planned; carrying fast-acting glucose, and using it if needed, will let you continue these pleasant activities with minimal interruption.

Above all, try not to get caught with "falling" blood sugars during all the fun fall festivities. Make a point to use all available resources to streamline your diabetes management — including carbohydrate counting — in order to take advantage of this beautiful time of year!

Looking for more advice on how to manage diabetes while enjoying outdoor activities? Visit Edgepark Health Insights to access the library of diabetes articles.