Labour of love: Azimah (left) preparing ingredients for a buka puasa meal with her mother-in-law Kamariah Yusoff, 72. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
KEPALA BATAS: With a renewed emphasis on living a healthy and active lifestyle after the pandemic, more families are choosing home-cooked meals over bazaar options during Ramadan.
Azimah Abdul Aziz, 41, said it has been her family’s practice for several years to prepare home-cooked meals for the family to buka puasa.
“One of the reasons is that my husband and daughter prefer home meals over those bought at shops or Ramadan bazaars,” she said.
The human resource manager believes meals prepared at home are not only affordable but also provide better nourishment.
She said cooking at home allows her to choose fresh ingredients, cut back on oil and sugar, and ensure her family gets balanced meals.
Azimah said either she or her husband would go to the market regularly and buy fresh meat and vegetables.
“I plan different dishes throughout the week based on what we find at good prices,” she said.
Azimah said maintaining the discipline of cooking at home has kept her family away from processed food.
If she is too busy at the office, she said her husband would take up the task of cooking for buka puasa.
“Buying food at bazaars is fun, of course, but it is our last option,” she said.
Another working mother, Tetty Sastrica Dermawan, 46, said she always ensures that she prepares two to three dishes for buka puasa.
“Food sold at Ramadan bazaars is now too expensive and lacking in quality. Cooking at home is more cost-effective.”
Tetty Sastrica expressed her satisfaction as she observed her two growing sons eating heartily, feeling pleased to see them finish their meals.
But she makes sure to keep some in the fridge for everyone to eat for sahur (pre-dawn meal).
“It saves money and keeps us energised throughout the day,” said the contract administrator.
Tetty Sastrica’s home-cooked buka puasa meals feature a large variety of vegetables and enough protein, especially from chicken or fish.
She makes it a point to blend fruit juices as a vital source of hydration for the fasting month, saying it is cheaper than buying outside.
Penang Health Department nutritionist Zuhaida Harun said home cooking brings significant health benefits at any time, not just during Ramadan.
“Preparing food at home allows for healthy meal planning, ensuring a complete meal with the necessary nutrition according to the Malaysian Food Pyramid guidelines.
“Cooking at home enables one to control portion sizes of food consumed, following the concept of the Malaysian Healthy Plate,” Zuhaida said.
(A healthy plate should have a quarter plate of grains, a quarter plate of protein and a half plate of fruits and vegetables.)
She recommended healthy cooking methods such as steaming, boiling and grilling.
Kitchen surfaces must be kept clean and hands regularly washed while handling food, she added.
“Involve your children in preparing food for cooking. They will learn and keep the practice alive for future generations.”
