Checklist for diabetes

If you’ve just been told you have diabetes, don’t be disheartened. With proper treatment and some adjustment to your lifestyle, you can manage diabetes and lead a healthy life.

Here’s what to do:

​​ Check Your Blood Glucose Often

Man testing his blood glucose levels with a glucometer

  • Together with your doctor, set your blood glucose goals.
  • Keep a diary of your blood glucose readings especially if you are on insulin.

Related: Blood Glucose Monitoring

Keep All Appointments with Your Doctor

Doctor measuring the blood pressure of a patient

  • Take your diabetes pills or insulin on time.
  • Bring your blood glucose diary when you see your doctor.
  • Let your doctor know what other medicines (including traditional Chinese medicines) you take.​

Related: Diabetes Management: Weight, Diet, Exercise and Medicine

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy salad of spinach, figs and cherry tomatoes beside a glucometer

  • Have regular meals and don’t skip meals.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
  • Exercise (e.g. brisk walk, jog, swim or cycle) at least 20 minutes every day or 150 minutes a week.
  • Have enough rest. Sleep seven to eight hours every night.
  • Learn to relax and reduce stress.​

Related: Stay Active with Diabetes

Plan for Sick Days

Woman in bed with a bad headache

  • Look out for symptoms of high blood glucose, low blood glucose or ketones and know how to manage them.
  • Wear a medical identification tag such as a medical bracelet.
  • Carry small packets of sugar or sugary snacks (e.g. raisins or candies) with you.
  • Your doctor will help you set blood glucose goals. Write them in this table to remember them.
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Time

Plasma Blood Glucose Values for Adults with Diabetes (mmol/L)

My Blood Glucose Goals

Before a meal (fasting)

Less than 4.0 to 7.0

2 hours after a meal

Less than 10.0

HbA1C

Less than 7%

Source: MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes 1/2014, Ministry of Health Singapore.
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Download the checklist for people with newly diagnosed diabetes [PDF].

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