Eat Less
Find out more about cutting down on salt, sugar and
alcohol to reap the benefits of a healthier diet.
Salt & Sodium
Less Salt, More Taste
9 in 10 Singapore residents exceed the daily recommended intake of sodium. On average, we consume 3,620 mg of sodium, nearly twice the recommended daily limit of 2,000 mg1. Over time, consuming excess sodium causes our taste buds to be less sensitive to saltiness, leading us to consume even more salt. This dulling of taste buds also causes us to equate saltiness with tastiness, preventing us from tasting the natural flavours of food.
Rediscover natural flavours and reduce your risk of hypertension by using less salt. Did you know that according to the Singapore Health Foundation, cutting your salt intake by just 1 teaspoon daily can have the same effect as taking an anti-hypertensive pill? However, always consult your doctor before stopping any medication and continue to monitor your blood pressure regularly, at least once every 6 months. A lower-sodium diet, coupled with an active lifestyle can help you manage your blood pressure effectively.
Follow these easy tips to manage your sodium intake and restore your true sense of taste.
1Source: National Nutrition Survey, 2022, Health Promotion Board
While our bodies need sodium for normal bodily functions, excessive salt intake can dull our taste buds over time and increases the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure.
Consuming excess sodium causes our bodies to retain more water, raising blood pressure. The increased pressure can cause the blood vessel walls to be damaged and as the walls of the damaged vessels thicken to cope with the strain, the space within each vessel becomes narrower, increasing the risk of heart and kidney diseases.
Narrowed vessels are also more prone to clot formation. If a clot partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke can occur.
Studies consistently show that reducing salt and sodium intake helps lower blood pressure in those diagnosed with hypertension and even healthy individuals, which then eases the workload on the heart and kidneys, reducing the risk of stroke.
Contrary to popular belief, diseases caused by consuming too much salt and sodium are not just a problem for older people but also younger Singapore residents, from as young as 30 years old.
3Source: National Population Health Survey 2022 (NPHS 2022), Health Promotion Board
Some of the negative effects of excessive salt intake include:
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease (e.g. stroke, heart attack)
- Kidney disease (e.g. kidney stones)
- Stomach cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Water retention
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Low sleep quality
- Decline in mental wellness
1. Know that not all salts are the same
Many people are under the wrong impression that gourmet salts such as sea salt and Himalayan pink salt have a lower sodium content and contain more minerals because of their claims to be “all-natural”. Other than trace amounts of additional minerals, these salts provide no health advantages compared to table salt and contain comparable amounts of sodium by weight.
Excessive consumption of any type of salt will inevitably lead to higher risks of high blood pressure and other ailments. To reduce sodium intake, take a look at the Nutrition Information Panel and choose lower-sodium salts.
Read this article to learn more about lower-sodium salt:
Try Lower-Sodium Salt To Lower Your Sodium Intake
Learn More2. Make the healthier choice
Products carrying the “Lower in
Sodium”
Healthier Choice
Symbol (HCS) contain at
least 25% less
sodium compared to similar products in the
same food category. Reducing your sodium
intake is easy when you choose such
lower-sodium products.
Foods that are lower in sodium doesn’t mean that they will taste bland. You can find the “Lower in Sodium” HCS identifier on many of your favourite sauces, seasonings, cooking mixes and pastes that are not only tasty but also healthier! These lower-sodium products can be used as 1-for-1 substitutes of the regular versions, so you do not need to add more of them when cooking to achieve the same flavour.
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3. Spice up your dishes with herbs and more
Natural herbs, spices and aromatics like onion, ginger, garlic, chilli, parsley, spring onions, cinnamon, and pepper all help to enhance the taste and aroma of food. As a common Chinese saying goes, a delicious dish is one that is rich in colour, fragrance and flavour. Jazzing up your dish with herbs or spices adds flavour, colour and fragrance while reducing the need to use too much salt or seasonings, hence reducing your sodium intake.
4. Oomph with umami
Dried mushrooms, seaweed and kelp are often
added to soups and stews to impart a savoury
deliciousness, known as
“umami”. This can be translated
to “essence of deliciousness”
and is
actually the taste of glutamate, a naturally
occurring amino acid.
Sources of “umami” also include
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) which is a food
additive. Contrary to popular belief,
decades of research have shown no evidence
linking MSG to commonly purported symptoms
such as hair loss and palpitations. MSG is
generally recognised as safe and not as
unhealthy as one might think. Both sources
of glutamate, naturally occurring glutamate
and MSG, are processed by the
body in the same way. In fact, a teaspoon of MSG contains 615 mg of sodium, less than a third of sodium content in a teaspoon of table salt which contains 1,960 mg.
To add a healthier umami flavour, you can
use MSG or foods such as tomatoes,
mushrooms, seaweed, meats, seafood and even
aged cheeses, instead of adding more salt or
seasonings.
Get inspired with our delicious, lower-sodium recipes!
Consuming or cooking with less salt allows you to restore your true sense of taste to enjoy the natural flavours your food has to offer. This opens up a whole new appreciation for your food and reduces the dependency of using only salt to flavour food.
Singapore Fish Head Curry
View RecipeLaksa Fried Rice
View RecipeBraised Chicken Bee Hoon
View RecipeClassic Spaghetti Bolognese
View RecipeGrilled Meatball Skewers with Vegetables
View RecipeHerb Baked Chicken with Tomatoes
View RecipeCold Tofu with Braised Mushrooms
View RecipeSayur Lodeh
View RecipeChar Kway Teow
View RecipeChicken Briyani
View RecipeTamil Style Vegetable Kurma
View RecipeMasala Ginger Prawn Curry
View Recipe1. Take less sauces and gravy
Sauces, gravy and soups often contain high levels of sodium. To reduce your sodium consumption, take less sauces and gravy and avoid drinking all the soup in soup-based dishes. Alternatively, ask for sauces and gravy to be served on the side. Taste your food first - you may not need to add any sauces (e.g. chilli sauce, ketchup, soya sauce).
Here’s some tips to cut your sodium intake:
Savouring Duck Rice?
(Sodium
content:
1,446 mg)
Ask for gravy on the side and pour sparingly to reduce sodium consumption!
2. Choose healthier choice lower-sodium options
Look out for the lower-sodium healthier dining identifier at our F&B partners. These outlets offer dishes prepared with lower-sodium salt, sauces and seasonings.
Rediscover the natural flavours that your food has to offer with these lower-sodium products:
Dian Xiao Er
Ginseng Kampong Chicken
Kang Kang
Wholegrain Noodles
Kikkoman
Less Salt
Soya Sauce
Kimly
Mixed Rice 2 Veg
+ 1 Fish
Knorr
Chicken Cubes
Lam Soon
Naturel Pasta Sauce
with Kale
Lee Kum Kee
Panda Brand Reduced
Salt Oyster Sauce
McDonald’s
French Fries (Medium) –
customised no salt
Sheng Siong
Happy Family Organic
Roasted Chestnuts
Sim Soon Heng
Premium Chilli Crab
Sauce
The Soup Spoon
Velvety Mushroom Stroganoff & Sandwich Set
Supported by
When you see the ‘We support Less Salt, More Taste’ identifier, it means the F&B establishment has started taking steps to reduce the sodium content in their dishes. These include replacing ingredients with lower-sodium alternatives or changing recipes, to help make healthier, lower-sodium dining available for everyone.
Supporters
Sodium Calculator
Not sure how much sodium is in your food? Find out with the Sodium Calculator to check your daily sodium intake and stay healthy.
Sugar
What is sugar?
Sugar is essentially a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in a wide range of
nutritious foods such as fruit, vegetables, grains and dairy.
Sugar is often added during food processing to enhance flavours or act as a
preservative. Added sugars are largely empty calories that provide little to no
nutrients and should be consumed in moderation.
Our sugar consumption should be no more than 10 percent of our daily energy intake. For most adults, that is about 10 teaspoons (50g) of sugar based on a 2000-daily calorie intake. For those who would like to reap additional health benefits such as a decrease in weight, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a further reduction to 5 teaspoons (25g) of sugar a day.
Consuming too much added sugar sets up a vicious cycle:
Furthermore, our body converts any excess sugar that we eat into fat, storing it as a future fuel source. By eating large amounts of sugary foods, we place ourselves at risk of various health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Spotting hidden sugar
Sugar comes in many forms, with names that do
not actually include the word
“sugar”. They include fructose, corn
syrup, sucrose, maltose, and many more.
Just like consuming sugar, having all these
added extra calories in our diet can harm our
health. Learn to spot different kinds of added sugars on food labels to help cut down on
our sugar intake.
Here’s a list of common added sugar and
their calorie count per 100g:
The sugar myths
Some added sugars are marketed as healthier options but are actually no different from simple white sugar.
While brown sugar does contain additional minerals such as magnesium, potassium and iron, nutritional benefits are miniscule.
Read this article to learn more about the common sugar myths:
How Well Do You Know
Your Sugar?
How can we consume less sugar?
1. Read the labels
A single can of sugar-sweetened soda
can contain as much as 7 teaspoons
(35g) of added sugar (140 kcal).
Check the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) to find out the sugar content in our
beverages.
Limit your intake of Nutri-Grade C or D drinks. Look out for products with the
Healthier Choice Symbol as these are at least 25% lower in sugar than similar products within the same category. Or choose Nutri-Grade A or B drinks that are lower in sugar and saturated fat.
Discover if your favourite drinks are
Nutri-Grade A or B or find similar alternatives that are lower in sugar and saturated fat
here.
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2. Make water the default drink option
Choose water as our beverage of
choice. Water is needed for
essential bodily functions and the
excretion of waste, and forms up to
60% of the human body.
Replace fluid losses and keep our
body functioning well by drinking
water. This can be made even more
enjoyable by infusing water with
fresh fruit and herbs for great
taste and a dose of vitamins!
Read this article to learn more about how to make drinking water more enjoyable:
Plainly Good Ways To
Make
Water Tasty
3. Ask for “less sugar” or “no sugar” when ordering freshly-prepared beverages or desserts
Freshly-prepared beverages such as
kopi and teh, and desserts such as
ice kachang and chendol can add lots
of sugar to our diet.
Ask for less or no syrup, sugar, and
sweetened condensed milk in our
drink or dessert.
- Kopi or teh - Ask for less (siu dai) or no sugar (kosong), enjoy more flavour with less sugar
- Bubble tea - If not already ordering less sugar, start small and ask for 50% sugar level. To enjoy more benefits, go for 25% level or less.
- Ice kachang - Ask for less sugar syrup
4. Portion control
There are certain sweet drinks, snacks or desserts that we may find irresistible and tend to overindulge. Rather than depriving ourselves completely, we can portion control by:
- Choosing a smaller pack size (e.g. 250ml instead of a 500ml bottle)
- Using a smaller plate - it tricks us into thinking that we are enjoying more food than what is really on our plate
- Sharing with friends and family
- Enjoying such sweet treats in moderation or making it an occasional treat
5. Replace sugar with alternatives/substitutes in our home cooked meals
We use sugar in our home-cooked
meals; whether it’s baking or
stir-frying, sugar is added to our
food as a way to enhance the
flavours of our dishes.
Instead, use fresh, chopped, pureed
fruit and vegetables to give our
desserts flavour and a fibre boost.
We can also try sweeteners like
stevia or xylitol that contain fewer
to no calories, and won’t
cause a spike to our blood glucose
levels. Try to gradually adjust and
decrease the amount of sweetners
we use. Train our palate and learn
to enjoy the natural flavours in
food.
6. Watch out for the sugar trap
Watching our sugar intake may not be
easy when some sugar traps are hard to
detect. Seemingly savoury foods could
contain more added sugar than what we
expect.
Here are some examples of the sugar
content hiding in our favourite hawker
dishes.
Recommended Lower-Sugar Recipes:
These sugar substitutes offer a sweet taste with fewer calories than sugar. They fall into two categories – (i) low-caloric sweeteners and (ii) non-caloric sweeteners.
Low-caloric Sweeteners (Sugar Alcohols)
Naturally present in plants, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and xylitol are often used in sugar-free sweets, beverages and desserts.
Non-caloric Sweeteners
Chemical-based and containing almost no calories,
their intense sweetness somewhat differs from the
taste of simple white sugar. These are used less
often or in combination with other sweeteners for a
more
palatable flavour.
Some names of non-caloric sweeteners that may be
familiar to us include:
- Acesulfame K
- Aspartame
- Stevia
- Sucralose
Both categories of sweeteners do not cause tooth decay nor affect blood glucose levels, the way regular sugar does. There are no proven health risks to consuming sweeteners when taken in moderate amounts.
We can replace sugar with sweeteners in recipes, but do take note:
Aspartame is not heat stable
For baking and cooking, avoid aspartame as it is the only sweetener that breaks down and loses sweetness in prolonged or high heat. Use sweeteners like acesulfame K and sucralose instead.
Less bulk and browning
Compared to sweeteners, sugar offers more bulk, browning, colour and aroma to baked goods. Simply replace 50% of the sugar with sweetener for healthier, yet appealing bakes.
Use the right amount
Check the sugar equivalent of the sweetener for the right amount to convert in your recipe.
For most people
Sweeteners in our food products are safe for consumption. Any food containing sweeteners can only be sold if it follows regulatory requirements and is approved by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
For those managing weight
For individuals concerned about weight management, the transient use of a small amount of sweeteners can be a gradual means to help reduce intake of free sugars in the short term. However, the long-term use of non-sugar sweeteners is not ideal and sustained improvements in overall diet quality will be better for weight control in the long run.
For diabetics
Sweeteners can be safely consumed by diabetics as they do not increase blood sugar levels.
For people with
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
People with PKU cannot consume aspartame as it breaks
down into phenylalanine upon digestion.
PKU is a rare condition where the body cannot break down
amino acid phenylalanine, which causes it to build up
and become toxic.
Recommended Reads:
Excess Calories
What are calories?
Calories counting seem to be necessary when we want to get started on a healthy
eating journey. But how many of us actually understand what calories are and how
to count them?
Easily track your daily calorie intake with the meal log tool on the Healthy 365
app
Learn more here
The energy that fuels your body comes mainly from nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, and protein. These nutrients take on different forms, like how carbohydrates can be sugars or starches. Each of these nutrients contain energy value and is measured by calories. Calories are therefore units of measurement for the energy value of food.
1g Fat = 9 Calories
1g Carbohydrate = 4 Calories
1g Protein = 4 Calories
Why do we need calories?
Calories are needed for energy to fuel our daily activities from simple breathing to intense exercise.
On average, Singapore residents consume about 2,500 calories daily,
which is above the recommended calorie intake. This stems from unhealthy
meals and regular grazing between meals.
Lowering your calorie intake lowers your health risks too. Have
lower-calorie meals to keep your weight in check and lead a healthier
lifestyle.
Maintain weight and stay in shape
Reduce risk
of obesity
Reduce risk
of diabetes
Reduce risk of other chronic diseases
The amount of calories your body needs depends on your age, gender, level of physical activity, and body size. People who are active and exercise regularly would require more calories than someone who is mostly desk-bound.
FEMALE
7 - 60 years old
and above
Recommended daily
calorie intake for females:
1,800 kcal
MALE
7 - 60 years old
and above
Recommended daily
calorie intake for males:
2,200 kcal
Find out your daily recommended calories requirement with the Calorie Calculator and track your daily calorie intake easily with the Meal Log tool.
Portion control
One simple way to achieve this is to follow the My Healthy Plate (MHP) guidelines. Here’s how:
- Fill Quarter plate* with wholegrains
- Fill Quarter plate* with good sources of protein
- Fill Half plate* with fruit and vegetable
**Recommended plate is 10 inch in diameter
Choose quality over quantity
Not all calories are equal. It’s important to
consume the right number of calories from a variety of
nutrient-dense foods such as wholegrains, lean protein,
fruit and vegetables.
Be sure to also choose foods prepared with healthier
ingredients and methods, and limit your intake of
high-sugar food and drinks as they increase your calorie
intake with little to no nutrients (empty
calories).
500 kcal is the magic number
Your favourite meals could hit a whopping 700-800 kcal each time! To keep within your daily caloric intake, try to swap one of your regular meals for a lower-calorie one that is around 500 kcal.
Choose healthier options
When dining out, keep an eye out for this Healthier Dining Programme identifier to enjoy healthier meals.
These dishes are cooked with healthier oil, wholegrains,
or are lower in calories.
Singaporeans love eating local delights like nasi lemak,
rojak, chicken rice and more. As tasty as these dishes
are, they are also rich in calories and saturated fats.
The good news is, we don’t have to give
up our favourite hawker fare to stay healthy!
Try these healthier hacks when ordering your
hawker favourites:
Nasi lemak
- Go easy on the gravy
- Ask for less coconut rice
- Choose vegetables over deep-fried items
Rojak
- Go easy on the fried items like You Tiao (fried dough fritters)
- Opt for more fruit and vegetables
- Ask for less sugar and sauces
Chicken rice
- Opt for leaner cuts of chicken
- Ask for less rice
- Choose brown rice if available
- Request for more cucumber slices
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Here’s how else you can make healthier choices when dining out:
Order less
In big groups, you may tend to eat more than your recommended daily calorie intake or order more than what you can finish. Avoid these situations by ordering less.
Pack leftovers
If you’ve ended up over-ordering, don’t be afraid to ask for unfinished dishes to be packed for takeaway.
Share your food
It isn’t always easy to control the portion of your dish. Get a friend to share a meal with you if you know that the portions are large beforehand.
The key to weight management is a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Here are some simple tips to help you maintain a healthy weight.
Have regular meals
Space out your meals to keep you energised throughout the day. Avoid skipping or delaying your meals, those hunger pangs will leave you vulnerable to eating unhealthy food or overeating!
Eat balanced, healthier meals
Fill a quarter of your plate with wholegrains, a quarter with protein, and half with fruit and vegetables to give your body all the essential nutrients it needs. Eating these foods in the right proportions will help you keep the amount of calories you consume in check.
Budget those calories
Had a high calorie meal? Don't fret. A lower-calorie option for your next meal will help you stay within your recommended daily calorie intake. Simply look out for the "Lower-calorie options available here" Healthier Dining Programme identifier.
Track your daily calorie intake easily with the Meal Log tool.
Eat Less: Saturated Fats
Fats, especially saturated fats, are a concentrated source of energy with twice the amount of calories as carbohydrates or protein. Cut back on fat consumption to minimise excess energy and calorie intake.
Eat Less: Sugar
Sugar supplies calories with little nutritional value. These empty calories increase your calorie intake without providing nutrients.
Eat More: Wholegrains, Fruit & Vegetables
The bulk from high-fibre foods such as wholegrains, fruit and vegetables helps you feel full longer and prevents you from overeating.
Recommended Reads:
Alcohol
Drinking in moderation
Limit intake of sugar
Our sugar consumption should be no more than 10 percent of our daily energy intake. For most adults, that is about 10 teaspoons of sugar (based on a 2,000-daily calorie intake). If you are determined enough, a further reduction to 5 teaspoons of sugar a day can bring about additional health benefits such as a decrease in weight. Added sugar can be found in sweetened drinks, fruit juices, honey, jam and processed foods like canned fruits.
Drinking in moderation
Having drinks with your friends? Healthy adult men should drink no more
than 2 standard drinks a day, and women should drink no more than 1
standard drink a day. A standard drink is 1 can (330ml) of regular beer
with
5% alcohol content, ½ glass (100ml) of wine with 15% alcohol
content, where the glass height is not more than 15cm, or 1 shot (30ml)
of spirits with 40% alcohol content.
Better yet, drink something other than alcohol, which is a concentrated
source of calories. To view the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for
adults in Singapore,
click
here.
Trans & Saturated Fats
What are the different types of fats?
While we all know fats are a concentrated source of calories, it’s still
essential for our body’s needs. Let us learn more about fats and how to
get the most out of it.
There are 4 different types of fats - polyunsaturated fats (PUFA),
monounsaturated fats (MUFA), trans fats, and saturated fats (SFA). These fats
can affect our health differently so be sure to choose healthier options!
What are trans fats?
Trans fats are formed when unsaturated fats undergo hydrogenation. Trans fats come from two sources - natural and artificial. Natural trans fats occur in dairy products and red meats such as beef and lamb; while artificial trans fats come mainly from partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in processed foods like snacks, baked goods, prepared meals and fat spreads. Currently, there is a ban on PHOs in Singapore, so products like frozen cakes and fat spread have been reformulated to be PHO-free.
Learn more about healthier oils & fats you can consume
here.
Trans and saturated fats are unhealthy fats that increase the risk of heart disease. Some sources of saturated fats include animal fats (e.g. butter, lard), full-fat dairy products (e.g. full-cream milk), and some plant-based oils.
Healthy fats
Lowers risk of heart disease
Lowers low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
cholesterol levels
Unhealthy fats
Increases risk of heart disease
Raises low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
cholesterol levels
Lowers high-density lipoproteins (HDL)
cholesterol levels
When preparing meals at home
Choose healthier oils
Look out for healthier oils with the Healthier Choice Symbol as these are at least 25% lower in saturated fats than similar products within the same category.
Read MoreRead the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) to check for the calorie content and quality of fats
Pick food items with less saturated fats.
Use controlled amounts of oil
Use a teaspoon to control the amount of oil added into the pan instead of pouring it straight from the bottle. Using non-stick cookware also means less oil is needed.
Pick food products lower in saturated fats
Healthier choices include low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and fish. Remove visible fats from poultry or meat too.
Include fish in your diet
Oily fish such as mackerel and ikan tenggiri or batang pack lots of healthy fats such as Omega-3 which is good for the heart. Frozen fish are budget-friendly. Include fish in your diet twice a week.
Consider other protein-rich sources
Bean products like tofu, beans, and lentils offer protein with little saturated fats.
When choosing drinks
Look out for the Nutri-Grade mark to make better drink choices. Limit Nutri-Grade C and D drinks which are high in sugar and saturated fat content.
When eating out
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