I never expected to be in a situation where I had to defend eating a protein bar on a plane—but sometimes, speaking up is the only way to protect your health.
My name is Elizabeth, and I’m a marketing consultant who travels frequently for work. With clients across the country, I spend a lot of time in airports and on airplanes. I enjoy the fast-paced lifestyle, but managing my type 1 diabetes means I always have to be prepared. I carry insulin, glucose tablets, and snacks with me at all times—because when my blood sugar drops, I need to act quickly.
Most people are understanding. Friends, colleagues, and even airline crews are generally supportive when they learn about my condition. But every now and then, I run into someone who doesn’t quite understand—or worse, refuses to.
That happened on a recent flight from Chicago to Seattle.
After an early morning and a hectic rush through security, I boarded the plane feeling lightheaded—an early sign that my blood sugar was dropping. I found my aisle seat and quickly reached for a protein bar.
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