Good Gifts for Someone With Diabetes

Five Good Gifts for Someone with Diabetes

Everyone living with diabetes may have a unique diabetes management plan and, of course, unique personal interests. Instead of reaching for those nasty sugar-free candies that will likely end up in the garbage, consider getting something that makes their day-to-day routine a bit easier. 

In general, here’s what daily diabetes management may involve:

• Following a diabetes diet plan
• Physical activity 
• Medication management 
• Monitoring blood glucose levels 

When looking for gifts for someone with diabetes, keep these in mind. Gifts that make day-to-day diabetes management simpler (or more fun!) are often highly appreciated.

1. Fitness Tracking Device

For many people, managing diabetes means finding ways to create healthy habits and tools that help them stick with it. Two important healthy habits for those living with diabetes are getting good sleep and exercising. Fitness tracking devices, such as the Apple Watch, help people with diabetes track a wide range of variables, including active minutes, sleep patterns, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, menstrual cycles, calories burned, and steps taken. 

Some fitness tracking devices even have a medication reminder feature that helps people track and log medications by providing reminders when it’s time to take specific medications. This can be helpful for those with diabetes, as the timing of medication is often important for keeping blood glucose levels in their target range.

2. American Diabetes Association Comfort Food Cookbook

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is essential to effective diabetes management. Unfortunately, most recipes and cookbooks out there aren’t exactly diabetes friendly—especially comfort food recipes and cookbooks. Taking the time to modify a recipe and find proper substitutions can be a lot of work and often takes the fun out of making a home-cooked meal.

The American Diabetes Association Diabetes Comfort Food Cookbook was written by Robyn Webb, an award-winning cookbook author, nutritionist, and culinary instructor. This thoughtful cookbook features simple and delicious yet nutritious comfort food recipes created specifically for those living with diabetes.

3. Automatic Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Regularly checking blood glucose is one of the most important aspects of diabetes management—but for many living with diabetes, it can feel like the most tedious aspect, particularly if they need to check it frequently throughout the day. 

Standard BGMs involve several pieces of equipment and a multistep process. Keeping track of supplies, especially while on the go, can be a real challenge. And the process is not exactly discreet, so testing with a standard BGM often means finding a private place to test.

An automatic blood glucose monitor (ABGM), like the POGO Automatic^® Monitor, allows for automatic lancing and blood collection with the press of a button. This provides a fast, easy, and discreet way to test, whether at home or on the go, and eliminates the need to haul around multiple testing supplies.

POGO Automatic features Bluetooth connectivity and comes with the free Patterns^® for POGO Automatic app, which allows users to set reminders, track trends, and share data with healthcare providers through the Patterns sharing circle feature. Patterns also imports data from popular wellness apps and fitness tracking devices, providing the opportunity to better understand the relationships between blood glucose levels and a range of health and lifestyle variables.

4. Medical ID Jewelry

The American Diabetes Association recommends that anyone with diabetes, particularly if they use insulin, have a medical ID with them at all times. This ensures that emergency medical personnel have access to critical information about the person’s health status.

In the past, medical ID jewelry wasn’t known for being fashionable. But nowadays, medical jewelry appears quite similar to everyday jewelry, with options ranging from casual silicone bracelets to intricate beaded bracelets and necklaces. Lauren’s Hope offers fashionable jewelry for men, women, and children in a variety of materials, including 14 karat gold, silver, rose gold, waterproof stainless steel, and silicone. Each medical ID accessory is custom engraved with important medical information in addition to the easily recognized medical Staff of Hermes symbol.

5. Diabetic Socks

Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of nerve damage that often occurs in people living with diabetes. According to a recent study, over 40% of people living with diabetes “will develop neuropathy despite good glucose control.” Diabetic neuropathy can cause pain and numbness in the feet, legs, and hands and affect circulation in the legs and feet, causing swelling in the feet and ankles.

While by no means a fix or cure for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic socks, such as those made by Bombas, may help combat aches and swelling while keeping the feet cool and dry. They are designed to promote healthy circulation by applying pressure on the feet and legs, helping push blood back up to the heart.

How to Find Good Gifts for Someone with Diabetes

People living with diabetes have unique needs. But by considering these needs and your loved one’s unique interests, you can find good gifts for someone with diabetes that not only bring a smile to their face but make their daily life better.

Jaclyn Owens Jaclyn Owens is a product director specializing in diabetes management tools. She is committed to using technology to empower people with diabetes and help them take control of their health.