What are the right snacks to eat during the Spring Festival? Don’t be greedy for “New Year’s cookies”, nutritionists: 4 tips for eating healthily

As the world celebrates the Spring Festival, all kinds of snacks and dim sum are coming out! Nutritionist Tsai Tsung-chen analyzes a Malaysian New Year delicacy full of cultural heritage, Kuih Loyang, also known as New Year's biscuits, from the perspective of health and nutrition, and how to eat them healthily and without burden.

This delicious snack originated from the Netherlands and was brought to Malaysia via India, where it is widely loved by local families. "Honeycomb Cake" is one of Malaysia's traditional pastry delicacies. It can often be seen during the Chinese New Year, so it is also called New Year Cake. Flour, glutinous rice flour, eggs, coconut milk and sugar are mixed into a batter, which is then spread on a honeycomb mold and deep-fried in hot oil. The finished product resembles a honeycomb or large round petals with geometric patterns.

Nutritionist Cai Zongzhen analyzed that honeycomb cakes mainly contain a large amount of refined starch, and when paired with coconut milk to add aroma, you must pay attention to the saturated fat. The batter will absorb the oil when fried in a pan, and it tastes crispy and refreshing and you can't stop eating it. When eating, you can take a moderate amount first to avoid excessive intake, which will put a burden on your health.

Nutritionist Cai further proposed four dietary suggestions so that everyone can eat healthier and more safely while enjoying this festive delicacy.

4 suggestions to make the New Year more healthy and safe

Because the food during the New Year holidays is diverse and abundant, it is easy for people to consume too much. Nutritionist Cai Zongzhen recommends that you pay attention to the following points when enjoying these delicacies:

Diversified vegetable combinations:

In addition to dark green vegetables, it is recommended to choose brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, purple cabbage, etc., so that you can absorb more phytochemicals and protect cells from damage.

In addition to dark green vegetables, it is recommended to choose brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, purple cabbage, etc., so that you can absorb more phytochemicals and protect cells from damage.

Watch out for sugar and fat intake:

Honeycomb pancakes contain more sugar and fat. Fried foods can easily cause inflammation in the body, so they should be consumed in moderation. If possible, choose low-sugar or no-added-sugar versions and avoid foods that are overly fried.

Balanced diet:

During the Chinese New Year, there are a variety of exquisite New Year delicacies on the dining table. Pay attention to maintaining a balanced intake of a variety of foods, increasing the proportion of vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish to ensure comprehensive nutrition. Based on the 211 principle concept, each meal should have at least 2 fist-sized portions of vegetables, a palm-sized portion of protein, and half a bowl of rice at most 1 bowl of rice.

Control your food intake:

Although the New Year holidays are a time to spend quality time with family and friends, overeating should be avoided, especially excessive intake of sugar and calories. It is recommended to eat until you are 70% full at each meal, and save snacks for after meals, and try to reduce snacks between meals.