IF there is one thing that unites us Malaysians, it is our love for food. Our diverse culture certainly brought along a wide range of meals that has gotten many dieticians shaking their heads in disapproval, these being rich in simple carbs, palm oil and trans fat like sugar and salt.
Although we have been described as spoiled for choice, nasi lemak is undoubtedly an iconic food for Malaysians.
That status is being boosted yet again by our badminton heroes Lee Zii Jia and Soh Wooi Yik whose first meal upon arrival in Malaysia was nasi lemak.
A recent tweet by netizen @craigansibin which had gotten netizens’ tongues wagging showed Soh browsing a menu in an undisclosed restaurant.
First thing first bila sampai Malaysia 🇲🇾:
Nasi Lemak ‼️#Badminton pic.twitter.com/9aJure2WD6— Giarc Nibisna 🇲🇾🌺 (@craigansibin) August 8, 2024
The national shuttler was looking for a nasi lemak fix after being in the land of baguettes and escargots for a while.
Indeed the nasi lemak has captured our hungry thoughts, being adopted by the Chinese and Indians who later added their own twists to the dish.
Few can resist the fluffy, fragrant rice steeped in coconut milk, accompanied by spicy sambal that whets one’s appetite.
Couple the taste with the affordability that makes it available to Malaysians of every walk of life, and people will understand why nasi lemak holds a special place on many Malaysian restaurants’ menu.
However, as the name “lemak” suggests, the beloved dish is not exactly the healthiest meal in our Malaysian cornucopia.
According to Healthxchange.sg, for instance, a 210g serving of nasi lemak contains about 494 calories. It went on to state that while the dish is low in total fat, it is high in saturated fat which increases the risk of heart disease.
And since human psychology dictates that we find ways to justify doing something we like, here is a twist about nasi lemak being a healthy food.
According to a Singaporean health blog Noah, nasi lemak is a balanced meal containing lots of manganese, protein and carbs.
Further on, the chilli in the sambal is said to boost metabolism. The carefully worded article, however, errs on caution, advising consumers to eat less rice and to consume nasi lemak in moderation.
To be honest, it is an uphill battle to convince people of the health benefits of nasi lemak. But there is no doubt the happiness this simple yet supremely delicious meal brings to us Malaysians. – Aug 8, 2024
Main photo credit: Wikipedia
