8 Unexpected Versions Of Local M’sian Dishes Made Healthy

Image Credit: Instagram user @nicklasyong

Nasi goreng doesn’t have to be a hearty dish which induces heartburn. It could, in fact be light and delicious like the basil fried rice served at BMS Organics. On top of being delicious, it is also eggless, hence perfect for those who might have an egg allergy or prefer a vegetarian meal. 

BMS Organics

Address: 18, Jalan BP 5/11, Bandar Bukit Puchong, 47100 Puchong.

Website: BMS Organics

Image Credit: Goodness Greens Café, @burrplekl

Quinoa is commonly used as a rice replacement and at Goodness Green Café, they incorporated the grain into their chicken rice wrap. They use a tortilla wrap to house all the goodness of a traditional chicken rice such as chicken breast strips, tomatoes, cucumber, nuts as well as lettuce. What makes the dish top notch is the fried shallots and ginger soy chilli dressing which adds just the right touch of savoury.   

Goodness Green Café

Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 8am-10pm, Thursday: 9am-10pm, Friday-Sunday: 8am-10pm.

Address: 32, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman TTDI, 60000 Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Website: Goodness Green Café

Tel: 03-7732 0235

Image Credit: GroupOn

If you can’t live without the flavour of fragrant spices in your life but you’re not quite ready to give up asam laksa just yet, then Simple Life Restaurant might just be a safe bet. They use brown rice ramen as their starch, and the dish is also topped with fresh local vegetables such as brinjal and lady’s fingers on top of healthy proteins like tempeh.

Simple Life Restaurant

Available at several locations nationwide.

Website: Simple Life Restaurant

Image Credit: PurelyB

Even if you’re not a Sarawakian, chances are you have tasted this hearty dish once or twice and fallen in love with its peppery flavours. Though it may be a dish which leans towards being highly calorific, many can’t pass it up, especially during special occasions. One way to have a heart-healthy alternative is to sample Ashley’s By Living Food’s version which is served with raisins, acar, as well as a choice of bario rice or quinoa.

Ashley’s By Living Food

Address: 11, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Website: Ashley’s By Living Food

Tel: 017-325 3663

Image Credit: Sitka Restaurant

Pao is a typical tea-time dish for many Malaysians and it is hard to resist the deliciously warm dish, regardless of its fillings. The paos offered by Sitka are soft and melts in the mouth. They have several different savoury flavours to choose from inclusive of pulled chicken peanut miso bao, as well as twice cooked duck bao. Even with hearty fillings, the dish isn’t oily and the bao texture is soft and not too floury either.

Sitka Restaurant

Address: 8-5 Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Website: Sitka Restaurant

Tel: 03-2011 1117

Image Credit: Pops Malaya

Ais krim potong is a dessert that many Malaysians would have grown up consuming. It’s a practical and cooling dish to have, especially with the local hot weather. Ais krim potong flavours tend to lean to traditional delicacies such as red bean and durian. Pops Malaya goes one step ahead in creating a healthier alternative by offering flavours like honeydew vanilla, hence making it a less sinful treat!

Pops Malaya

Address: Modvier Boutique, 6, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur (Also available at several locations nationwide.)

Website: Pops Malaya

HOW TO EARN AIA VITALITY POINTS

Being healthy does not mean having to sacrifice your favourite meals, it is about making the switch to what is better for you in the long run. In the same vein, AIA Vitality is a programmewhich is better for you in the long run. Just like how a healthy nasi lemak dish can reward you with healthy nutrients derived from the quinoa grain, the AIA Vitality programme aims to reward its users with the system of AIA Vitality Points that can easily translate to lifestyle rewards

You can earn points through simple activities like achieving 7,500 steps a day (50 points) or participating in organised sporting events (up to 1,500 points). The more points you rack up with your AIA Vitality, the higher your AIA Vitality Status and before you know it, you can check out with gifts and rewards from the plan such as 50% off your Fitness First membership!

Sometimes, being healthy just requires a single step, and if a rewarding life is something which you wish to gain, then it really is as simple as filling up a form with your contact details, to get you started on a renewed and fulfilling lifestyle minus the gimmicks.

Many often believe that being healthy in Malaysia is tough or even impossible, but with the AIA Vitality, it’s one load off your shoulder in becoming the fitter version of yourself that you deserve to be. Think of it this way: it’s as easy as making the choice of quinoa rice instead of nasi lemak—it is up to you which life you decide to lead after all.