Sujudi urges return to basic foods

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)