Skip to main content
  • EN
  • BM
  • Search
  • AIA Malaysia
  • Our Products
    • Life Protection
    • Medical Protection
    • Critical Illness Protection
    • Savings & Investment
    • Accident Protection
    • Property Solutions
    • Motor Insurance
    • Online Products
    • AIA Vitality
    • Employee Benefits
    • Commercial Insurance
  • AIA Vitality
    • How It Works
    • REWARDS & BENEFITS
    • Member’s Testimonial
    • Join AIA Vitality
  • What Matters
    • Health & Wellness
    • Finance & Insurance
    • Video Gallery
    • Mental Wellbeing
    • Health Statistics
  • About AIA
    • About AIA Bhd.
    • About AIA Public Takaful Bhd
    • About AIA General Berhad
    • About AIA Pension & Asset Management
    • Career Opportunities
    • Community & Partnerships
    • Media Centre
    • Events & Promotions
    • Customer Charter
  • Help & Support
    • Contact Us
    • Locate Us
    • Claims Process And Guides
    • Premium Payment
    • FAQ
    • Important Announcements
    • Form Library
    • How to Guides
  • My AIA
    • CUSTOMER LOGIN
    • CUSTOMER REGISTRATION
    • CORPORATE LOGIN
  • Investment-Linked Funds
AIA
  • Our Products

    Our Products

    Select from one of the categories on the right or click here for a recommendation based on your needs.

    Let us help you
    Investment-Linked Funds

    Get the latest updates on our funds and their performance.

    Click here to view AIA Investment Linked Funds Performance Report 2021

    For Individuals

    For Business

    • Life Protection

      Protect yourself and your loved ones from life's uncertainties with AIA's life insurance and takaful plans.

    • Medical Protection

      Avoid unforeseen medical expenses with AIA's medical insurance and takaful plans.

    • Critical Illness Protection

      Focus on your recovery and not your financial commitments when you have AIA's critical illness insurance or takaful plans.

    • Savings & Investment

      Stay protected while you secure your future with AIA's savings and investment plans.

    • Accident Protection

      Safeguard yourself from accidents with AIA's personal accident insurance plans.

    • Property Solutions

      Finance your dream property and ensure your household contents are well-protected.

    • Motor Insurance

      Get comprehensive protection for your motor vehicles.

    • Online Products

      Sign-up for our insurance and takaful plans online for immediate protection.

    • AIA Vitality

      AIA Vitality is the science-backed wellness programme that works with you and rewards you for the healthy choices you make. Find out more

    • Employee Benefits

      Secure your company's most important asset through our market-leading solutions.

    • Commercial Insurance

      Secure your business against mishaps and damages.

  • AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality

    We support you in taking charge of your health.

    FIND OUT MORE
    • How It Works

      Discover how AIA Vitality motivates you to make healthy choices sustainably.

    • REWARDS & BENEFITS

      Find out what are the rewards and benefits that you can enjoy as an AIA Vitality member.

    • Member’s Testimonial

      Be inspired by the stories of our members 's journey with AIA Vitality

    • Join AIA Vitality

      Kickstart your journey towards better health today!

  • What Matters

    What Matters

    Guides and tips on the latest Health & Finance topics.

    VIEW ALL IN WHAT MATTERS
    • Health & Wellness

      Wholesome & healthy living starts today.

    • Finance & Insurance

      Discover our wide range of insurance and finance topics

    • Video Gallery

      Short videos on the latest Health & Finance topics.

    • Mental Wellbeing

      Start taking care of your mental health today.

    • Health Statistics

      Learn more about the current health statistic.

  • About AIA

    About AIA

    For almost a century, AIA has served the ever-changing needs of millions of people all across the Asia-Pacific region.

    Read More
    • About AIA Bhd.

      Who we are, what we do, our vision and awards.

    • About AIA Public Takaful Bhd

      Who we are, what we do, our vision and awards.

    • About AIA General Berhad

      Who we are, what we do, our vision and awards.

    • About AIA Pension & Asset Management

      Who we are, what we do, our vision and awards.

    • Career Opportunities

      Interested to join our AIA family? Look for a role that suits you.

    • Community & Partnerships

      Giving back to the community is important to us.

    • Media Centre

      Financials, press releases and other info about AIA.

    • Events & Promotions

      Events & Promotions

    • Customer Charter

      Our Commitment to our Customers

  • Help & Support

    Help & Support

    We strive to assist you with any inquiries you might have with a high touch customer service experience.

    Contact AIA
    • Contact Us

      Cannot find the answer in our FAQ section? Contact us now.

    • Locate Us

      Find us and our panel healthcare partners on Google Map

    • Claims Process And Guides

      Find Claims related information and guides here.

    • Premium Payment

      Find information and guides on how to pay premiums here.

    • FAQ

      Have a question? You may find the answer here.

    • Important Announcements

      Useful information for our customers

    • Form Library

      Need a form? Check our form library.

    • How to Guides

      Learn how to perform self serve transaction online at My AIA Portal.

  • My AIA

    My AIA

    Manage your AIA plans, employee benefits, stay healthy with AIA Vitality, and access healthcare services.

    Download My AIA
    Download My AIA
    Download My AIA
    Download My AIA
    • individual
      CUSTOMER PORTAL

      Manage your AIA plans, employee benefits, stay healthy with AIA Vitality, and access healthcare services.

      Register Login

    • corporate
      CORPORATE PORTAL

      For HR personnel and Intermediaries to manage the company's employee benefits portfolio effectively.

      Login

  • Language Select
    • EN
    • BM
  • Search
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us

      Operating hours during Ramadan :
      Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm

    • AIA BHD.

    • AIA PUBLIC TAKAFUL BHD.

    • AIA General Berhad

    • AIA Roadside Assist

Health & Wellness
Prev | Next
Back to Top
  • {{title}}

    {{label}}
  • Eat Healthy, Travel Happy: Thailand

    For travelers, Thailand presents a world of new experiences to be discovered, especially in its cuisine.

    On a whole, Thai food is considered quite healthy due to the large amount of fresh herbs and vegetables used. However, some dishes can lean towards the unhealthy side, either due to the amount of oil, sugar or salt used, or the method of cooking, like deep-frying. Pad Thai, for example, is known to contain a large amount of sodium and is often fried with oil.

    Fret not, health-conscious foodies, as there are healthy meals and dishes to be had in the land of smiles. The next time you’re traveling and craving for a healthy meal, look out for these:

    som tam

    The sweet-sourish papaya salad is a must-have while in Thailand, eaten as a side salad or a snack in itself. It’s also often served with additional condiments like sugar and chili sauce for those who want it extra sweet or spicy.

    • Made mostly of shredded unripe papayas, dried shrimp and nuts, the Som Tam is rich in fiber and vitamin C - so, eat up!
    • To make this healthy, skip the additional condiments and enjoy the natural taste of Som Tam.
    • If possible, ask the street vendor for a less sweet version to have lesser sweet chili sauce or sugar added into your Som Tam.

    Nam Prik

    If you’re a fan of our local ulams, nam prik would definitely catch your fancy. In actuality, nam prik refers to the spicy, salsa-like sauce made of chilies, garlic, shallots and shrimp paste - similar to our belacan. It can sometimes include minced meat as well.

    • In Thailand, nam prik is eaten with servings of raw or boiled vegetables like cabbage, lady fingers, cauliflower or bitter gourd. Help yourself and fulfill your dailyservings of vegetables as nam prik is the perfect condiment for it.
    • Nam prik can also be an accompaniment to grilled dishes like grilled mackerel.

    Glass Noodle Salad (Yam Woon Sen)

    The mung bean glass noodle salad is a healthy and wholesome meal to have, and can usually be found throughout Thailand. Lots of lime juice is used to give a sour punch to the glass noodles that is mixed with minced meat or seafood.

    • The glass noodle salad can be quite healthy, provided sugar is not added to the meal and the ground meat is lightly browned, not fried.
    • Go for healthier options like chicken or shrimp over red meat like pork.
    • The salad also contains plenty of greens like the cilantro, chilies, tomatoes and onions, giving you the dietary fiber and nutrition you need.

    TOM YUM

    Without a doubt one of the most popular exports of Thailand, tom yum, has the natural ability to pique one’s appetite and palate. If you’re looking to make healthy eating choices:

    • Tom yum is a good pick, as its flavours come from herbs and spices like chili, galangal and lime instead of artificial flavourings.
    • You have the option to bulk up the dish with protein, and a good choice would be lean meat like chicken or fish that will give you more energy for the day.
    • Opt for a clear broth tom yum over a coconut milk-based tom yum. A coconut milk based tom yum would have more fat and calories than the clear version

    Steamed fish with garlic and lime sauce (Pla neung manao)

    You’re likely to find this dish in many Thai restaurants or seafood restaurants.

    • Steaming is one of the healthier methods of cooking as it does not require much (or any) oil, and thus retains more nutrient in the food.
    • The Thai style of cooking seafood relies heavily on the natural flavour from fresh ingredients like lime, lemongrass, garlic, ginger and fish sauce. Using more naturally-derived ingredients is better than relying on salt or artificial flavourings.

    Mackerel Lettuce Wrap (Miang pla too)

    Tasty, meaty and yet healthy - the mackerel lettuce wrap is an ideal dish for travelers of all ages. Instead of a carbohydrate-rich wrap or pita bread, Thais opt for lettuce leaves for a healthy crunch. The only thing to look out for are small fish bones if the fish is served whole.

    • Protein and vitamin-rich mackerel is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of “good” fat that our body cannot produce on its own.
    • The fish is usually grilled or lightly-seared, just enough to cook it and bring out its flavour.
    • Other ingredients in this fish wrap could include rice noodles and fresh vegetables.

    Fresh vegetables rice wrap/Spring rolls

    Spring rolls are truly an Asian dish, as it can be found in many variations throughout the region. If you’re feeling hungry and craving a mid-day snack, look out for these fresh vegetable spring rolls.

    • While we may be familiar with deep-fried popiahs, the spring rolls in Thailand are mostly made of fresh rice noodle wraps and are not fried, making them low in calories.
    • They are relatively low in protein and carbs, as the choice of fillings are generally fresh vegetables with some minced meat (chicken, pork or shrimp).
    • Order a side of this to complement your main meal or as a different way to eat more vegetables.

    Five-a-Day Fruits & Coconuts

    You’re sure to find plenty of fruits in Thailand. Freshly cut fruit vendors are at almost every street corner, and for dessert, you can enjoy mango slices served with sticky rice (just skimp on the coconut cream and rice). It’s also easy to find freshly made pomegranate juice, baby coconuts and deliciousdragon fruit - take your pick and you’ll find yourself having your daily recommended serving of fruits each day!

    For some people, traveling is the one time they let themselves feast and enjoy their food – which is well and fine, too. Trying new cuisines is half the fun of traveling, so let this article be a guide, instead of a rule book to dictate what you should or should not eat on the road. Eat what makes your taste buds (and your body) happy.

     

    References
    https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?qlookup=12115
    https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/saturated-fats
    https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/the-top-10-healthy-thai-dishes/
    https://www.self.com/story/8-registered-dietitian-approved-thai-takeout-picks
    https://www.livestrong.com/article/544354-the-nutritional-value-of-som-tam/
    https://www.livestrong.com/article/276803-healthy-thai-food-choices-at-restaurants/
    https://thaisq.com/facts-about-vegetarian-pad-thai/
    https://www.nutriliving.com/foods/thai-basil
    https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/brown-rice-vs-white-rice
    https://www.livestrong.com/article/337993-what-are-the-benefits-of-steamed-fish/
    https://www.eatingthaifood.com/healthy-thai-food-21-delicious-dishes-that-are-actually-good-for-you/
    https://www.eatingthaifood.com/steamed-fish-with-lime-and-garlic-recipe/
    https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/glass-noodle-salad-v2/
    http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/mackerel-high-omega-3s-and-vitamin-b12
    http://muaythaipros.com/the-15-healthiest-thai-food-dishes-in-thailand/

    The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.

    Would you practise healthy eating habits during your holiday? 

    • Yes (55%)
    • No (45%)

    Related Articles

    Asia’s Secret High-Protein Foods


    Think you can only get protein from meat and eggs? Think again!

    Quick, Easy & Local: 6 Asian-Inspired Pasta Recipes


    Why spend money buying imported ingredients to replicate recipes, when you can easily find local substitutes? Read more:

    6 Reasons Why Asian Cuisine is Good For You


    Asian cuisine and cooking help to promote better health and wellbeing. Here’s a few reasons why.

    AIA VITALITY

    AIA Vitality

    One Second Survey
    One Second Survey
    ×
    One Second Survey

    What do you think of this article?

    Our Products
    Life Protection
    Medical Protection
    Critical Illness Protection
    Savings & Investment
    Accident Protection
    Property Solution
    Motor Insurance
    Online Products
    Our Products
    Life Protection
    Medical Protection
    Critical Illness Protection
    Savings & Investment
    Accident Protection
    Property Solution
    Motor Insurance
    Online Products

    This website uses cookies for the purpose of enhancing your user experience. You can find more information on the types of cookies we collect, what we use these for, and how to manage your cookie settings in our Cookies Policy and Privacy Statement.

    What matters
    Health & Wellness
    Finance & Insurance
    Video Gallery
    Mental Wellbeing
    Health Statistics
    About Us
    About AIA Bhd.
    About AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd.
    About AIA General Berhad
    About AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. 
    Careers
    Community & Partnership
    Events & Promotions
    Sitemap
    Help & Support
    Contact Us
    FAQ
    Important Announcement
    Form Library
    AIA Malaysia
    Menara AIA, 99, Jalan Ampang,
    50450 Kuala Lumpur
    AIA Bhd.
    1300-88-1899
    For Overseas Customers
    603 2056 1111
    AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd.
    1300-88-8922
    AIA General Berhad
    1300-88-1899
    AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn. Bhd.
    1300-22-7771
    AIA Auto Assist / Roadside Assist
    1-800-88-8733
    What matters
    Health & Wellness
    Finance & Insurance
    Video Gallery
    Mental Wellbeing
    Health Statistics
    ABOUT US
    About AIA Bhd.
    About AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd.
    About AIA General Berhad
    About AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. 
    Careers
    Community & Partnership
    Events & Promotions
    Sitemap

    This website uses cookies for the purpose of enhancing your user experience. You can find more information on the types of cookies we collect, what we use these for, and how to manage your cookie settings in our Cookies Policy and Privacy Statement.

    Help & Support
    Contact Us
    FAQ
    Important Announcement
    Form Library
    AIA Malaysia
    Menara AIA, 99, Jalan Ampang,
    50450 Kuala Lumpur
    AIA Bhd.
    1300-88-1899
    For Overseas Customers
    603 2056 1111
    AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd.
    1300-88-8922
    AIA General Berhad
    1300-88-1899
    AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn. Bhd.
    1300-22-7771
    AIA Roadside Assist
    1-800-88-8733
    www.aia.com.my/roadsideAssist

    Copyright © 2023 AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries. AIA Bhd. 200701032867 (790895-D) AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd. 201101007816 (935955-M) AIA General Berhad 201001040438 (924363-W) AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. 201201027147 (1011637-P) AIA Health Services Sdn. Bhd. 199601016211 (388561-T). All rights reserved.
    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Code of Conduct | Sitemap