Hidden Calories In Your Raya Delicacies

Hari Raya is upon us once again, and what is Raya without some scrumptious Raya delicacies? Those iconic steamed rice dumplings paired with some Rendang, mmh. With countless open houses and the generous spread of mouth-watering dishes, even the most health-conscious of us succumb to temptations.

With the use of coconut milk, margarine, salt, sugar combined with less healthy cooking methods, one is bound to put on a little weight. Moreover, it gets even harder to resist for those suffering from diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension.

Some of the calorie-rich food served during Raya include briyani (487 calories per plate),  a bowl of soto ayam ( 403 calories) and lontong (a serving with vegetables and tempeh is equivalent to 350 calories)

Did you know that two small pieces of rendang add up to 112 calories and 5 sticks of satay – a whopping  200 calories. Yeah, neither did I.

You might want to brace yourself because it’s desserts next. Being the dodol girl that I am, you can imagine my disbelief when I discovered that it approximates 71 calories per serving. In addition, kuih bahulu and kuih wajik are 40 and 63 calories per piece.

How To Stay Healthy Despite These Hidden Calories?

Prof Dr. Winnie Chee, president of the Malaysian Dieticians Association suggests choosing low-calorie options when making the big decision. For example, choosing lontong instead of white rice and drinking water or fruit -infused water in place of sugar-laden cordials and carbonated drinks.

It also helps to plan early. If you’re expecting to have a heavy lunch, go light on breakfast and dinner. Furthermore, it takes approximately 20 minutes for you to start feeling full giving you plenty of time to revel in conversation.  

Similarly, for those with diabetes and hypertension. Close monitoring of blood glucose and blood pressure together with carbohydrate control would assist individuals in enjoying the festive season. 

Although the weather might not always permit, individuals can hit the gym or do simple exercises at home. The key is to stay active. Finally, home cooks can also substitute high-calorie ingredients such as coconut milk or condensed milk with its low-calorie counterpart.

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Reference:

https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/06/03/watch-out-for-hidden-calories-in-rendang-kuih-satay-and-other-raya-favourit/1758847

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