Eat right with the new Malaysian food pyramid

By K.M. LEW

   

     We Malaysians love food so much that we even greet each other by asking, “Have you eaten?”

However, let’s also remember that eating is not just about satisfying our taste buds, but also meeting our nutritional needs.

     We need energy (carbohydrates, protein and fats), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as healthy phytochemicals (naturally occurring food substances in plant-based foods). Fortunately, we can meet such diverse requirements by eating a variety of foods every day.

     Our bodies need different nutrients in varying amounts (e.g. more energy-giving carbohydrates, moderate levels of protein and small quantities of vitamins and minerals). The way to achieve the required nutritional balance is by ensuring that our daily diets comprise mostly foods from the base of the Malaysian food pyramid and least of those at the top.

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