PETALING JAYA: Offering more vegetable-based dishes, options to choose smaller portions and a simple star-rating system – these are among the suggestions on how we can encourage Malaysians to eat healthier every day.
Both doctors and restaurant operators believe that while calorie labels on menus are beneficial, they are just one ingredient to help solve the problem of unhealthy eating habits.
“Malaysian food is incredibly tempting. So the focus should also be on encouraging smarter choices and addressing the broader food environment,” said Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Datuk Mohamed Mosin Abdul Razak.
He said restaurants can offer “half portion” options for staple dishes like rice and noodles at lower prices.
“We urge the government to work with Presma and others to incentivise the inclusion of more vegetable dishes and fewer sugary drinks. For example, restaurants should provide plain water at no cost or for a minimal charge, while also ensuring that healthy, non-fried dishes are prominently displayed and reasonably priced,” Mohamed Mosin said.
He was asked to comment on the Health Ministry’s plans to expand its study of calorie labelling on food menus to encourage Malaysians to eat a healthier diet.
Regarding the availability of 24-hour restaurants, Mohamed Mosin said such outlets enable late-night eating – one of the drivers of weight gain – but the problem does not lie solely with them.
“The issue is rooted in Malaysia’s sedentary lifestyle, urbanisation and the social culture of eating out as a primary form of bonding and relaxation.”
He said Presma believes that the calorie labelling policy will help Malaysians make healthier choices, but it will not be easy.
“Getting a precise, certified calorie count for a dish like nasi lemak that is cooked on the spot is a logistical hurdle,” he said.
Mohamed Mosin hopes the ministry will provide subsidies, accessible online calculators for common ingredients, and clear, simplified guidelines to ease this burden on restaurant operators.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association deputy president C. Krishnan said the calorie labelling may be impractical for smaller food traders in night markets and stalls, as portions vary.
“It is difficult to implement across the board.”
He said there should be more emphasis on awareness programmes and early education to instil healthy eating habits.
Meanwhile, a health expert proposed that a simple star rating system be implemented.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) honorary secretary Dr Pearl Leong Yuet Mae said the system, from one to five stars, could be used to grade a dish for its sugar, oil and carbohydrate content.
“This works like a traffic-light system, helping people understand healthiness at a glance without needing calculations.
FPMPAM council member Dr Kirubakaran Malapan said providing calorie information may support healthier choices, especially given the rise in obesity and overweight Malaysians.
“However, the effects of calorie labelling appear to be modest and inconsistent, based on global findings.
“This is because food choices are strongly driven by taste, price, convenience, social settings and habits – not calorie numbers alone,” said Dr Kirubakaran, who is also the Penang Medical Practitioners Society president.
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said healthier eating habits must be supported by the environment.
“Food culture is an important part of who we are, and we would rather not discourage enjoyment,” he said.
However, healthier eating habits must be supported by policies that promote healthier ingredients, clear labelling and community-based health education, Dr Thirunavukarasu added.
“It’s about enabling healthier choices, not restricting access to food.”
