Sujudi urges return to basic foods

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Sujudi appealed to the Indonesian people yesterday to get back to dietary basics and away from foods rich in fat and cholesterol.

Speaking at a workshop in Denpasar on the impact of changing diet habits among Indonesians, Sujudi said people in several countries have begun to shun fast food in favor of traditional cuisine.

He proposed that Indonesians look back to the Empat Sehat Lima Sempurna (Four components for health, and a fifth makes it perfect) balanced diet principle.

The principle, widely taught at school but now rarely practiced at home, says that a healthy diet should have four components: rice, vegetables, meat or fish, and egg. A fifth component, milk, will make one's diet perfect.

The Workshop on Modern Lifestyles and Micro Nutrient Deficiency was held at the Sheraton Nusa Dua hotel in Bali, according to the Bali Post daily newspaper, which helped organize the event.

Sujudi said that the modernization process is having a negative effect on eating habits, which is noticeable in the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and a number of other health problems.

While he does not oppose change and modernization, Sujudi said people should not completely ignore their own tradition and culture, and this includes their diet.

Contrary to popular belief, Sujudi said the habit of turning to fast food is not happening among wealthy Indonesians only. He pointed out the growth of various soto (traditional soup) houses which cater to middle and low-income groups of people. The meat used in most soto is high in cholesterol, he added.

The minister listed Germany, the Philippines and South Africa as countries where people have begun to go back to their traditional diets. These countries have also reported a declining number of heart problems and cases of hypertension and diabetes. (emb)