(From left) Satvinder, Lim and Raja Zalina demonstrating an overnight oats recipe as part of Mondelez’s #JomSnekBijak campaign. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
IT IS common to find yourself reaching for a snack while you are watching TV or surfing the Internet. And especially so while you are absorbed in tasks at work.
But are you being mindful about what you are eating, how much of it and where the packaging should go after?
A survey by snacks giant Mondelez International (Malaysia) has found that Malaysians are mostly multi- task snackers as well as emotional eaters, while only a minority make an effort to recycle snacks packaging.
Addressing the issue as part of its #JomSnekBijak (Let’s Snack Wisely) campaign, Mondelez is focusing on educating the people on mindful snacking, which takes into account portion control and recycle-ready packaging.
Mondelez International (Malaysia and Singapore) corporate and government affairs head Raja Zalina Raja Safran said: “Mindful snacking is an integral part of our purpose to provide the right snacks at the right moment.”
The company has already put portion information on some of its packaging, but pledged to continue to play its part with environmental impact in mind.
“Today, 96% of our packaging is recycle-ready and we are developing infrastructure for the collecting, sorting and recycling of plastic waste in Malaysia,” said Raja Zalina.
On the survey results, Mondelez International South-East Asia regional nutrition strategy and communications lead Lim Chain Yin said: “We found that 63% of respondents snacked to de-stress, 61% to satisfy cravings and 46% to curb hunger.”
The survey also revealed that only about half of Malaysians practised portion control when it comes to snacks.
Lim said there was no good or bad food as long as people consumed in moderation.
Mondelez’s portion control efforts include products offered in 200-calorie-or-less packaging and visual aids on packaging on how to snack mindfully.
UCSI Department of Food Science and Nutrition Associate Professor Satvinder Kaur also weighed in with the true definition of snacking — small meals or tidbits taken between main meals.
“As a nutritionist, I do recommend having some kind of snack in between your main meals so that you don’t feel too lethargic or tired throughout the day.
“For nutritional balance, supply yourself with the right snacks like fruits, vegetables or nuts.”
And the fallback nutrition advice is the quarter-quarter-half approach to a balanced diet, which provides enough vitamins and minerals to fuel the body.
“Your quarter portion should be in the form of carbohydrates, like cereal-based foods or rice, and the other quarter part of your plate should be protein such as fish, chicken or eggs.
“Half of your plate should be filled up with fruits or vegetables,” said Satvinder.
(From left) Satvinder, Lim and Raja Zalina demonstrating an overnight oats recipe as part of Mondelez’s #JomSnekBijak campaign. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
A balanced plate with quarter portion of carbohydrates, another quarter with protein and the remaining half with vegetables and fruit.
