Nasi Lemak Healthy Or Not, You Need to Do This!

Malaysia’s most favourite dish is under the spotlight again as one of the healthiest breakfasts in the world. But is it really, though? We breakdown the dish and give tips on how to enjoy this staple breakfast meal in moderation.

In 2011, the Ministry of Health announced that Nasi Lemak was to be sold only twice a week, due to the rising case of obesity in the country. The debate on whether it is healthy to eat ‘Malaysia’s National Dish’ everyday emerged due to its effect on health.

Nasi Lemak Nutrition Chart

Fast forward to this year, the dish has redeemed itself as TIME Magazine has named Nasi Lemak as one of the healthy international breakfasts as it is considered ‘healthier’ when compared to sugar-soaked cereals, juice, or bacon-egg-and-cheeses which possibly lead to a lifetime of cholesterol issues.

While it is still debatable whether the combination of coconut milk, rice, anchovies, cucumbers, roasted peanuts, hard boiled egg and sambal is healthy or not, let’s enjoy Nasi Lemak without the guilt with these tips:

• Although the spicy sambal can help increase metabolism and burn fat, exercise is still the best option. Exercise at least five times a week, 30 minutes per session. Is it difficult? Well, trick yourself with these 8 ways and stick to exercising.
  • PS: Don’t push to the extreme at first, start slow and gradually increase the intensity.

Exercise Is Important

• Take fewer portions and more number of meals per day. Having said that, more meals doesn’t mean you can continuously eat the whole day. You should have two to three hours intervals between each meal. Also check out the 5 brain foods that will make you smarter.
  • PS: Try cutting your rice portion into half.

Eat at regular intervals

• Drink lots of water or have some green tea when you feel like drinking sugary drinks. Check out these links for the calories contained in different sugary drinks and the healthier alternatives.
  • PS: Cutting down on carbonated drinks can reduce the “unseen” calorie intake, ie: the sugar.

This article was first published here, written by Ivy whom comes from a small town in Perak. She likes anime, manga, romance novels, sci-fi movies, desserts and on top of that – hybernating. Now discovering her passion in editing articles and drawing info-graphs.

Tags

• fitness
• healthy
• nasi lemak