Caterers slim down wares to curb ballooning waistlines
Hera Diani The Jakarta Post Jakarta
Unless you have the time and unwavering commitment to pound the treadmill every day, losing weight comes down to controlling calorie intake.
For most young people in a demanding job in the city, there is no time to think about nutrition or count calories. We end up buying our food from food stalls or the office cafeteria, with no guarantee of nutritional content. Often highly processed and laden with oil, they may be just as damaging to our health as grabbing a fast-food fix.
Fortunately, the prayers of some health-conscious foodies have been answered with the opening of catering services and bakeries which pare down calories but not skimp on taste.
Some of them also offer meals for people with various health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension or high uric acid.
Although the meals may be a bit more expensive than the average, thinking of it as a health investment will make it seem worthwhile, compared to paying for medical treatment, diet pills or liposuction down the road.
As with embarking on any diet program, it's best to consult a physician and nutritionist first before deciding which service suits your needs.
Segeer Classic & Dietetic Baking Ideas
Jl. Arteri Kelapa Dua No. 1
Kebun Jeruk, West Jakarta
Tel. (021) 5367269/5323189
How many times have you failed your diet program just because you could not resist that teenie tiny tiramisu?
Well, with the certain calorific meltdown promised by all that cheese, cream, milk and flour, tiramisu is a big no-no if you want to lose weight (a cup is around 650 calories, compared to about 600 for a Big Mac).
But if you are in the throes of chocolate-craving PMS or a sugar attack, and reaaally must eat it, the tiramisu here, smaller in size and with calories cut by a third, may do.
The taste is exactly the same as the usual; in fact, some people will find it more to their liking because it is lighter.
Also available are diet black forest, chocolate mousse, fruit shortcake, toasted bread, candies and other items. All of the ingredients are original and without additives, with reduced carbohydrate, sugar, fat and oil content.
Each product also carries its own nutritional content label.
Prices are about average for most bakeries in the city; a pack of diet toasted bread, for instance, is Rp 8,300, light tiramisu is Rp 14,300 per cup (Rp 1,300 more than a regular tiramisu) and the diet chocolate mousse is Rp 9,400 per slice.
Order and delivery service are available.
Eat for Health
Jl. Raden Patah III/18, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Tel. (021) 7207189/08121050754
Attn. Regina
In addition to a menu for weight loss and recuperating from illness, the catering service offers vegetarian meals.
The menu is varied, including Indonesian, Chinese, Western or Indian dishes. Changes are made to the menu every 25 days, with one meal including desert and fruits.
The cost for a five-day package, consisting of one meal per day, is Rp 175,000. For two meals, the price depends on the subscriber's weight: Rp 300,000 for less than 60 kilograms, Rp 350,000 if those 60 kg-80 kg, and Rp 400,000 for people above 80 kg.
There is an additional charge for delivery service, which ranges from Rp 5,000 to Rp 15,000 per day, depending on the delivery area.
Prima Diet Catering
Jl. Bukit Duri Selatan No. 72
Tebet, South Jakarta
Tel. (021) 8301565/0817764 899/08161155334
Attn. Dr. Peni
There are several packages offered by Prima Diet Catering:
- Twelve-day package for people with a medical condition. The fees are Rp 325,000 for one meal and Rp 530,000 for two meals daily. - Twelve-day package for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: Rp 360,000 for one meal and Rp 600,000 for two meals daily. - Twelve-day package for vegetarians: Rp 325,000 and Rp 530,000 - Twenty-four-day package of the food combining program: Rp 540,000 and Rp 1.2 million. - Twenty-four-day package for weight management program: Rp 660,000 and Rp 1.2 million.
The meals are varied, including a snack and fruit, with an additional delivery charge of Rp 2,000 and Rp 3,000 a day.
NutriFit Jl. Panjang 81 A-B Duri Kepa, West Jakarta Tel. (021) 5641491/566 5794 Fax. (021) 5640878
Before subscribing to NutriFit catering service, people must fill in a form with their personal data, including height, weight, allergies, least favorite food and the type of diet they wish to undertake.
There are several diet categories: For diabetic/hypertension/ stomach/uric acid problems, there are programs including low cholesterol, high protein low salt intake, high protein salt free, high calorie and protein and weight loss.
One meal costs Rp 25,000 and Rp 27,500 depending on the diet type, and two meals daily costs Rp 45,000, but subscriptions must be on a two-week basis. The delivery charge is Rp 3,000 per day.
A colleague tried the low-calorie diet and liked it, because it tastes "regular".
"It tastes delicious, with a lot of vegetables, although the desserts are not as sweet, but I guess that's the point," she said, adding that she lost two kilograms within two weeks and had more energy after starting the program.