Exploring Thailand’s street food or savoring fresh pasta in Italy sounds amazing—until you have to stop for multiple finger-prick tests. Managing your blood sugar while traveling can be a challenge, but continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for travel is easier than ever. Unlike traditional glucose meters, CGMs offer real-time tracking, fewer interruptions, and better control. We’ll explore how CGMs simplify travel, compare them to traditional methods, and help you find the right CGM for your next adventure.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a device that tracks blood sugar levels in real time. A small sensor, usually placed on the arm or abdomen, continuously measures glucose levels and sends data to a smartphone or reader. This technology helps travelers monitor fluctuations throughout the day and make informed decisions about food, exercise, and medication without the hassle of frequent finger pricks.
Why is Blood Sugar Monitoring Important While Traveling?
Traveling can make blood sugar management more challenging due to changes in diet, activity levels, time zones, and stress. Monitoring blood sugar helps prevent dangerous highs and lows, allowing travelers to adjust their meals and medication as needed. Even for non-diabetics, tracking glucose can provide insights into how different foods and travel-related factors affect metabolic health.
Understanding Diabetes and Blood Sugar Levels:
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body struggles to regulate blood sugar due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin. Uncontrolled high blood sugar can lead to serious complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.(1).
How is Diabetes Diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood sugar tests. According to Diabetes Canada, you may have diabetes if(1):
- You experience symptoms of high blood sugar (frequent urination, extreme thirst, fatigue) and have at least one abnormal test result.
- You have no symptoms, but receive two abnormal test results on different days.
Blood Sugar Diagnostic Criteria
| Test | Diabetes | Prediabetes | Normal Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) | ≥7.0 mmol/L (≥126 mg/dL) | 6.1–6.9 mmol/L (110–125 mg/dL) | <5.6 mmol/L (<100 mg/dL) |
| 2-hour OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) | ≥11.1 mmol/L (≥200 mg/dL) | 7.8–11.0 mmol/L (140–199 mg/dL) | <7.8 mmol/L (<140 mg/dL) |
| A1C (3-month average glucose) | ≥6.5% | 6.0–6.4% | 4.0–5.6% |
| Random Plasma Glucose (PG) Test | ≥11.1 mmol/L (≥200 mg/dL) | – | 3.9–7.8 mmol/L (70–140 mg/dL) |
What These Tests Measure(1):
- FPG (Fasting Plasma Glucose): Measures blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours.
- OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test): Measures blood sugar 2 hours after drinking a glucose solution.
- A1C (Hemoglobin A1C Test): Measures the average blood sugar over the past 3 months.
- Random PG Test: Measures blood sugar at any time of the day, regardless of meals.
📌 Why It Matters:
If left untreated, diabetes can cause long-term damage to vital organs. Early detection through these tests can help manage or even prevent diabetes with lifestyle changes and medication.
Why Use a Continuous Glucose Monitor While Traveling?
✈ Convenience: No More Finger Pricks
CGMs eliminate the need for frequent finger pricks, making glucose monitoring easier while sightseeing, hiking, or dealing with long-haul flights.
📲 Real-Time Alerts for Safety
Get instant notifications if your blood sugar drops dangerously low during physically demanding activities like trekking in Peru or exploring markets in Bangkok.
🍜 Monitor the Impact of Food and Activity
Try new foods without worry—track how a plate of pasta in Italy or spicy street food in Mexico affects your glucose levels.
🎒 Travel Light
Reduce the need to carry extra test strips and lancets by relying on CGM technology.
🧘 Peace of Mind
Enjoy your trip without constantly worrying about unexpected blood sugar spikes or drops.
How are Continuous Glucose Monitor different than Finger Prick Glucose Monitor?
Finger prick device are used to measure blood glucose levels and involves taking a blood sample. This gives the blood glucose level at that moment in time. However, finger prick device does not give information on how our glucose level changes with time unless we take multiple blood samples over a period of time.
Continuous glucose monitor gives glucose level at that moment in time and gives the continuous glucose level in interstitial fluids between cells which provides a better picture on how certain food or exercise can affect our blood glucose over time.
The difference between blood glucose level and interstitial glucose level is that there is a lag time when glucose is transported from the blood stream into the cells(3). When our glucose are rapidly changing, the two values may differ due to lag time.
Freestyle website provides a good video to explain the difference between blood glucose and interstitial glucose.
Best Continuous Glucose Monitor for Travel: A Comparison
Several CGMs cater to both diabetics and non-diabetics. Here’s how they compare:
| CGM | Availability (U.S.) | Availability (Canada) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| NutriSense | ✅ | ❌ | Subscription-based with dietitian support |
| Signos | ✅ | ❌ | AI-powered for weight management |
| Levels Health | ✅ | ❌ | Focuses on metabolic fitness |
| Supersapiens (Abbott Libre Sense) | ❌ | ❌ | Designed for athletes, unavailable in North America |
| January AI | ✅ | ❌ | Predicts glucose responses |
| Freestyle Libre 2 | ✅ | ✅ | 14-day sensor with real-time readings |
| Freestyle Libre 3 | ✅ | Approved, but not yet available | 15-day sensor, smallest Libre device |
| Dexcom G7 | ✅ | ✅ | 10-day sensor, real-time monitoring |
| Dexcom Stelo | ✅ | ❌ | 15-day sensor, designed for non-diabetics |
| Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 | ✅ | ✅ | Requires separate transmitter |
Which Continuous Glucose Monitor is Best for Travel?
- Best for International Travel: Freestyle Libre 2 (widely available, affordable, easy to use)
- Best for Real-Time Monitoring: Dexcom G7 (fast alerts, continuous tracking)
- Best for Non-Diabetics: Dexcom Stelo or Levels Health (track glucose trends for wellness)
What continuous glucose monitors for travel are available and what are their differences?
The two major brands of CGMs currently available are Freestyle Libre and Dexcom. The following table lists some of there differences(4,5,6).:
Note: Dexcom Stelo is indicated for non-diabetic use
| Current Available Sensor | How Long Sensor Last | Sensor Size | Glucose Reading Frequency | Water | Alarm |
| Dexcom G7 | 10 days | Small size, half the size of G6 (1.5x thicker than Libre 3) | Every 5 minutes | Water proof up to 8 feet | Yes |
| Dexcom G6 (requires separate transmitter) | 10 days | Twice the size of G7 | Every 5 minutes | Water resistant | Yes |
| Freestyle Libre 3 (not yet available in Canada) | 15 days | Smaller than two stacked pennies | Every minute | Water resistant | Yes |
| Freestyle Libre 2 | 14 days | Same thickness as two stacked quarters | Every minute | Water resistant | Yes |
| Dexcom Stelo | 15 days | Same size as G7 | Every 15 minutes | Water proof up to 8 feet | No |
What are the cost of these sensors?
The cost of continuous glucose monitors for travel (CGM) can be higher than traditional finger prick blood sugar monitors depending on how often testing is done. However, continuous glucose monitor gives us better information and insights of our glucose level throughout the day. Even trying a sensor for 1 week or 2 weeks can give insights on how certain foods and activities such as sitting, walking, exercising can affect our glucose level.
Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) may be covered by third party insurance or provincial plans for those who are diabetic in Canada.
| Cost of Sensor (Canadian Pharmacy) | Cost of Sensor (US Pharmacy) | Transmitter Needed? | |
| Dexcom G7 (1 sensor) | $87.99 CAD | $139.99 USD | No |
| Dexcom G6 (1 Box of 3 Sensors) | $345 CAD (Sensor) $41.79 CAD (Transmitter) | $299.99 USD (Sensor) $199.99 USD (Transmitter) | Yes, need transmitter to work (1 transmitter which last 3 months) |
| Freestyle Libre 2 (1 Sensor) | $99.99 CAD | $109.99 USD | No |
| Freestyle Libre 3 (approved by Health Canada but not sold yet in Canada) (2 Sensors) | – | $259.99 USD | No |
| Dexcom Stelo (not sold in Canada)(2 Sensors) | – | $99 USD | No |
Above cost obtained from: London Drugs Pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy, Stelo by Dexcom, Diabetic Warehouse
Where to Buy a CGM?
Most CGMs are available at pharmacies, online retailers, and directly from manufacturers. You can check out:
If you use a CGM, consider bringing backup supplies, including extra sensors and a traditional glucometer, in case of device failure.
Final Thoughts
Using a CGM while traveling can make managing blood sugar easier, allowing you to enjoy your adventures without constant monitoring stress. Whether you’re living with diabetes or interested in metabolic health, a CGM provides real-time insights that can help you stay on track. Besides monitor blood sugar, don’t forget to get your travel vaccines!
Disclaimer
The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. It is advised to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Reference
(1) https://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg/chapter1
(2) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/type-2-diabetes-overview-beyond-the-basics/print