The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

TZU CHI 124 59 Ng Hui Ling A nutritionist with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and a Master’s degree in Sports Science, who served at the Singapore Heart Foundation before becoming self-employed, providing dietary consultations to vegetarians and writing a nutrition column for a health magazine. past our routine mealtime. Therefore, I usually carry along some snacks in my bag whenever I am on the go; energy bars that conveniently supply the calories to keep our body functioning are an ideal option. The embarrassing incident of drooling over a piece of fried chicken happened because I had forgotten to replenish my snack supply as I left home in a hurry. Nevertheless, replacing a proper meal with energy bars is inadvisable. Energy bars are more suited as a snack in between meals to maintain energy levels and prevent us from starvation and overeating at the next meal. However, make sure to scrutinize the nutrition facts label on energy bars before purchasing due to their processed nature. Some energy bars that are labelled as “natural” with whole grains such as oats as the main ingredient are not necessarily as nutritious as we expect, for these bars are likely to contain high levels of fat and sugar. When encountering energy bars studded with mixed nuts and dried fruit, yet are at the same time coated in chocolate, check the fat, sugar and calorie content before making a decision. For instance, individuals with unhealthy body weight who are striving to limit their calorie intake are encouraged to choose energy bars with higher protein and fibre content to stay full for longer. Better still if the energy bars have lower fat and sugar content. Naturally, the above advice is not applicable to leaner individuals who lead an active lifestyle. I believe making dietary choices is similar to picking the right pair of shoes – we choose the one that fits us best. On days when I remain indoors, most of my activities are of a sedentary nature, such as reading. Hence, I generally consume fresh fruits and a glass of high-calcium milk as a snack in between meals. Lately, energy bars have been commonly touted as a relatively more nutritious alternative to potato chips, cakes and cookies, but to me, energy bars are no match for natural produce. Understandably, everyone has their own preferences. If I need a storage box, I would rather shop for a suitable one from the household department of a mall – this is my idea of wise spending.