5 Healthier Malaysian Food Choices

Malaysian food is very much ingrained in our culture. We greet each other with “Sudah makan?” So it comes as no surprise that our food is renowned for being extremely delicious. The traditional Malaysian diet is not known as healthy. However, Malaysian food can still be enjoyed while keeping our health and tummies in check. We can even go one step further and make healthier options even healthier by modifying ingredients. Here’s 5 popular healthy Malaysian food you can consider adding to your weekly meal plan.

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Nasi Kerabu

Famous for its eye-catching blue rice, Nasi Kerabu has become an icon of Kelantan. It comprises a healthy mixture of herbs and ulam (green salad). As these vegetables are eaten raw and fresh, they are high in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are also served with fish, a good source of protein. For a healthier dish, limit the intake of budu (fish sauce) or sambal. It’s a great alternative to Nasi Lemak as it is still served with sambal and rice.

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Asam Laksa

Asam Laksa is world-renowned. In 2020, Penang Asam Laksa ranked 7 in "CNN's 'World's 50 Best Foods' List". If you’re looking for warm comfort food that still has health benefits, this is the dish for you. Asam Laksa is high in fish for a good source of first-class protein and low in fat. Adding more vegetable toppings such as pineapple or cucumber slices makes the dish healthier.

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Hainanese Chicken Rice

Chicken rice is a famous dish nationwide that is simple but mouth-watering. Hainanese chicken rice uses steamed chicken which is healthier than the more popular roasted chicken. If you’re a muscle flexer, this dish is good for building and sustaining them as chicken is high in protein. Consider counterbalancing the dish’s high fat content by adding cucumbers as they are super nutritious and low in calories.

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Thosai

What dish can you order from the mamak that is crispy, savoury and a great source of healthy carbohydrates? It's the THOSAI! Unlike much of our beloved mamak food, thosai is great for weight watchers as it is low in fat. For an even healthier Thosai, make it oil-free. So the next time you’re thinking of ordering Roti Canai, do consider saying instead, “Abang, Thosai satu.”

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Fresh Popiah

Finding healthy Malaysian street food is not easy. Popiah is one popular street food that is tasty and healthy. “Popiah” means “thin pancake” in the Teochew Chinese dialect. It is low in calories and usually packed with fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, jicama, and lettuce leaves. There are so many variations of popiah which makes it a versatile yet healthy snack.

Verdict

You don’t have to give up on that nasi lemak or curry mee, but do consider incorporating these dishes into your diet.  They are popular not only for being delicious but also for being healthier options. Whatever the food, we have to ultimately remember to eat in moderation and have a balanced diet. Make sure you get your healthy share of fruits and vegetables, grain, dairy, and protein.

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