Food prices have indeed increased over the past few years due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the global supply chain, extreme weather events, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and trade restrictions.
For example, the average retail price for broccoli rose from S$5.61 to S$6.92 per kg from 2019 to 2022, while tomatoes increased from S$2.20 to S$2.78 per kg, according to official data. Eggs (pack of 10) went up from S$2.39 to S$3.06, while a whole chicken increased from S$6.36 to S$7.94 and salmon from S$30.09 to S$34.41 per kg. In July, food inflation in Singapore was 5.3 per cent year-on-year.
Healthier options do come with a price tag for both food operators and consumers, but you do not have to be sentenced to a lifetime of bland and pricey food just because you decide to tread the healthy path.
With soaring food prices, there is greater impetus for more initiatives to ensure healthier food and ingredients are accessible and affordable for the different socio-economic and budget considerations.
Healthy eating needs to be viewed holistically in terms of the food intake throughout the day, and as experts have recommended, this is achievable by making low-cost tweaks.
Initiatives like the Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Dining Programme, which is aimed at helping diners choose healthier options such as lower-calorie meals, whole grains, reduced sodium and sugar, have made a positive impact.
As of December 2022, 60 per cent of stalls across all hawker centres and coffee shops have at least one healthier option on their menus.
Healthy hawker hunting is not rocket science; moderation is key. A well-balanced plate should be divided into the following food groups: A quarter filled with wholegrains, a quarter filled with protein, and half filled with fruit and vegetables.
You can still have curry and deep-fried food, just not every day. For example, when ordering cai fan or nasi padang, opt for brown rice (less rice), less sauce, and a non-processed protein instead of chicken nuggets or luncheon meat. Swap out your favourite curry vegetable dish for a vegetable stir-fry or embrace the egg as your wallet-friendly protein choice. A plate of brown rice, stir-fried bean sprouts, tofu with minced meat, and a sunny side up would set you back by about S$4.30.
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For example, the average retail price for broccoli rose from S$5.61 to S$6.92 per kg from 2019 to 2022, while tomatoes increased from S$2.20 to S$2.78 per kg, according to official data. Eggs (pack of 10) went up from S$2.39 to S$3.06, while a whole chicken increased from S$6.36 to S$7.94 and salmon from S$30.09 to S$34.41 per kg. In July, food inflation in Singapore was 5.3 per cent year-on-year.
Healthier options do come with a price tag for both food operators and consumers, but you do not have to be sentenced to a lifetime of bland and pricey food just because you decide to tread the healthy path.
With soaring food prices, there is greater impetus for more initiatives to ensure healthier food and ingredients are accessible and affordable for the different socio-economic and budget considerations.
Healthy eating needs to be viewed holistically in terms of the food intake throughout the day, and as experts have recommended, this is achievable by making low-cost tweaks.
Initiatives like the Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Dining Programme, which is aimed at helping diners choose healthier options such as lower-calorie meals, whole grains, reduced sodium and sugar, have made a positive impact.
As of December 2022, 60 per cent of stalls across all hawker centres and coffee shops have at least one healthier option on their menus.
Healthy hawker hunting is not rocket science; moderation is key. A well-balanced plate should be divided into the following food groups: A quarter filled with wholegrains, a quarter filled with protein, and half filled with fruit and vegetables.
You can still have curry and deep-fried food, just not every day. For example, when ordering cai fan or nasi padang, opt for brown rice (less rice), less sauce, and a non-processed protein instead of chicken nuggets or luncheon meat. Swap out your favourite curry vegetable dish for a vegetable stir-fry or embrace the egg as your wallet-friendly protein choice. A plate of brown rice, stir-fried bean sprouts, tofu with minced meat, and a sunny side up would set you back by about S$4.30.
Continue reading...