Thanks fred and mrspuddleduck (cute name).
Novorapidboi - you can find out more information about how I roll on my about me page.
In terms getting my insulin when travelling
If you are going away for 3 months >, an NHS doctor is legally allowed to prescribe you up to three months worth of medication at any one time (I don't know if the Tory's will try and eradicate this - I wouldn't be surprised). Regional medical health authorities may vary in terms of how much they are willing to prescribe. You will likely have to go see your doctor to explain that you are going away on a long trip and your medication requirements, as putting a whopping great medication request on your repeat prescription might perturb the pharmacist.
If you are travelling for longer than this, then you are responsible for obtaining your own insulin, once you've run out. You will need to check your insulin is available in your country of destination and if it's not, you will need to research what insulin is available. It's a good idea to discuss this with your diabetes team before you go and how your regime would change if you were to switch to this different insulin. Be aware that a different insulin might not work as well, so keep a close eye on your blood sugars at this time.
As for affordablility - it varies hugely.
Here in Brasil it will cost me around $55 (35.50) for 5 novorapid penfil cartridges. A pot of 50 freestyle lite strips cost around $20 (£12.90). 1 Months worth of medication therefore, costs me: £12.90 x 2.5 (two and a half pots a month) + £35.50 = £67.75 a month. That's fairly manageable.
On the other hand, In the USA (no surprise), it costs $100 (£64.56) for one freestyle lite pot of 50 test strips and $526 (£339.60) for 5 novorapid flex pens. So £64.56 x 2.5 + £339.60 = £501 a month. Unless your Donald Trump, that seems pretty unreasonable and unfeasible to me.
SO, it depends where you go as to how possible it is to pay for insulin!!
In terms of actually getting it, you will need to bring a repeat prescription from home, with all your listed medications. You may also need to visit a doctor to obtain a prescription - here in Brasil you can simply present your home prescription to the pharmacist.
Nutritional health wise....
Most importantly it means that I understand the importance of a varied diet, high in fresh produce (vegetables and fruits), legumes (beans and lentils), fish (oh so good for you) and whole grains.
In terms of the diabetes: I have found that undoubtedly, cutting down on the amount of carbs I eat, helps me to keep my levels in range - from my experience, the more carb you eat, the more margin for error you have in terms of miscalculating and taking too much insulin or too little.
When you have a smaller portion it's easier to get the carb content right and the chance of miscalculating is smaller.
However you still need carbs - especially if you are exercising a lot - after a full day of hiking it's really important I eat a carby meal in the evening, or I can have a terrible hypo in the night. However, It is really beneficial to stick with low GI carbs, so whole grain rice and pasta, yuca is good and oats are great. The carb is digested a lot slower and therefore the sugars enter your bloodstream at a much slower rate, meaning you avoid nasty high blood sugar peaks after eating.
Try and avoid very sweet fruits, like mangoes and limit foods that are high in bad saturated fats I.E. animal fats: cheese, red meat etc.
BUT, I believe you can treat yourself every once in a while, after all, you're only human and allowing yourself a treat every now and then will make it easier to sustain a really good diet the rest of the time. For example, I'll allow myself to indulge, occasionally, in something sweet, if I've been exercising hard that day. If you have a terrible time managing your sugars after having a treat, then maybe steer clear.
As with everything it's all about balance and variety.
Sue xx