Malaysians debate the cost of healthy eating, with many urging a return to affordable local dishes instead of pricey Westernised fare.
HEALTHY eating in Malaysia is often viewed through a more Westernised lens — one that centres on salads, grilled proteins and fancy smoothies.
This perception has left many Malaysians caught in a cycle of trying to eat healthily while struggling to keep their spending in check.
The issue was recently highlighted after a Malaysian man lamented the high cost of eating “clean” in the country, especially when compared with the relatively low price of a simple meal at a nasi kandar restaurant.
“A container of salad costs around RM20, while mixed rice is just RM8. No wonder my efforts to slim down aren’t working — my wallet just can’t cooperate,” he wrote in a Threads post.
While netizens understood his frustration, many suggested turning to local food options instead, pointing out that they are far more sustainable and affordable in the long run.
“Rice, ulam, grilled fish and a bit of sambal belacan. Settled,” one user commented simply.
“Because if your definition of eating clean is Western-style food, of course it’s going to be expensive. Try going to a warung and ordering grilled catfish or grilled chicken with ulam and a small portion of rice — it only costs a few ringgit,” another advised.
Meanwhile, one user drew comparisons between healthy eating in Malaysia and Thailand, claiming that items such as salads are cheaper there due to wider accessibility and availability of ingredients.
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Healthy foods still out of reach for many Malaysians
