A pharmacist on TikTok warns against 5 popular Ramadan bazaar foods — and sugary drinks top the list
YOU’VE just finished your fast. The Ramadan bazaar is packed, it smells amazing, and everything looks irresistible. But before you load up that bag, one pharmacist wants you to slow down — because some of your go-to picks may be doing your body more harm than good.
In a TikTok video that has been making the rounds, pharmacist Jasmine, known on the platform as @jasmine.pharmacist, broke down five foods commonly found at Ramadan bazaars that she strongly advises people to think twice about. And yes, your favourite sweet drink made the top of the list.
1. Sweet Drinks — The No.1 Offender
Colourful, cold, and dangerously easy to over-order — but Jasmine says sugary drinks are her biggest concern. “We have no idea how much sugar goes into each cup,” she warned. Consume them daily throughout Ramadan, and your body will eventually pay the price. Her words were blunt: you’ll know when your legs need to be sawed off — a stark reference to diabetic complications that many Malaysians have come to recognise all too well.
2. Fried Chicken — That Oil Has Seen Things
Crispy, golden, and everyone’s iftar staple. The problem? Most bazaar vendors reuse the same cooking oil repeatedly throughout the day. According to Jasmine, repeatedly heated oil significantly raises levels of LDL — the bad cholesterol — in your body. She pointed to a troubling trend: young Malaysians are increasingly being prescribed cholesterol medication. This, she suggests, is not a coincidence.
3. Grilled Chicken — Not as “Clean” as You Think
Think you’re being healthy by opting for ayam bakar over fried food? Not so fast. Jasmine cautions that the charred, blackened parts of grilled chicken — the bits many people actually enjoy — can be harmful when consumed in large amounts. So go ahead and order it, but leave the burnt edges on the plate.
4. Processed Fried Foods — The Nugget, Sausage and Fishball Trap
They’re cheap, convenient, and absolutely everywhere at the bazaar. But nuggets, sausages, and meatballs fall squarely into the ultra-processed food category, packed with preservatives and artificial additives. Jasmine advises cutting back on these, even if they seem like a harmless side.
5. [Implied: Moderation is the Real Bazaar Hack]
The message isn’t to avoid the bazaar altogether — it’s to shop smarter. Ramadan is a time of reflection, and that includes being more mindful about what goes on your plate after a long day of fasting.
Watch Jasmine’s full TikTok here:
