Awareness on eating habit

A cleaner at a food court cleaning a table.

THE abundance of good food in cities across Malaysia can be one of the many reasons why people waste food. But Ipoh folk also feel that family upbringing and awareness played a vital role.

Ex-servicemen Azabari Omar, 45, said although he had seen people wasting food, this was largely dependent on the person’s awareness.

“As a Muslim, we have been told to stop eating just before we’re full but there are those who do not control themselves, being greedy and are gluttons.

“I feel that health awareness is important, because when a person becomes aware that what he eats affects his health, he will be more careful in his diet,” he told The Star.

Azabari suggested that the government raise more health awareness and even encourage the public to change their lifestyle, from eating food that was cholesterol-laden to a healthier alternative.

“Change is not easy, as I have experienced in the past three months by only eating one meal with rice a day, due to my high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

“Despite regular exercise, I didn’t control my eating habits, thus the doctor presented a stark reality to me, that if I fail to change my diet, my kidneys will be gone in a few years, followed by my liver.

“Now I’m taking more vegetables and a more appropriate food portion, ensuring that I do not waste any food or affect my health,” he said, adding that his cholesterol levels have now returned to normal.

SMK Methodist ACS Ipoh Form Six student Law Yong Lin, 20, said being aware that food was a valuable resource could change the perception of those who wasted food.

“I had some friends who travelled to Germany and learned a valuable lesson from the culture there.

“They had a meal at a restaurant but could not finish their food and decided to leave when they were stopped by a waiter,” Law said.

“The waiter from the restaurant requested them to take the leftovers home while explaining to my friends that food was an important resources of the country that should not go to waste,” he added.

His friend, Sky Goh, 18, said parents should also be a role model to their children, not only by telling them about people who were starving in Africa but also encouraging them to help the poor.

“By being exposed to famine situations, children and adults will stop taking what they have for granted.

“Apart from awareness, encouraging people to do composting using kitchen waste is an important step to be mindful of the environment,” he said.

Retiree B.P. Mohan, 58, said placing penalties could curb the food wastage in the beginning, such as restaurants charging a penalty for food wasted in a buffet.

“When people need to pay for the penalties, they often think twice and only take the amount they can eat, thus curbing wastage.

“However more education is needed to change this habit,” he said.