THE long-awaited festivities is finally here.
During this festive season, we will visit relatives and neighbours, to exchange well-wishes and strengthen bonds.
In Brunei Darussalam, visiting open houses is a long-established tradition and over the coming days, we will be preparing various delicacies, traditional food and drinks to serve our guests.
It is during the festivities that we tend to indulge more than usual.
According to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) hadith, we must divide our stomach into three parts – “It is enough for the children of Adam to eat merely to enforce his loins spine (backbone). Unless it cannot be avoided, then fill a third of food, one third for his drinks and one third for his breath.” (Narrated by at-Tirmizi).
The role of the host in preparing for an open house is especially crucial in optimising the quality of the event. By preparing and serving healthy food and drink, we ensure our guests enjoy their time safe in the knowledge that their health is not being compromised.
This is a good way to show concern for them and typifies the ‘Health is Everyone’s Business’ priority.
Here are healthy tips for the host in conducting their open house:
– Know the number of guests that you are planning to invite as this allows you to plan the amount of food supply;
– Provide a balanced, moderate and variety of dishes;
– Prepare healthier options including food which are low-fat, low-sugar and low-salt;
– Prepare a selection of fresh fruits, vegetable salads, boiled peanuts and healthier option main meals such as noodle soup or laksa to add colours to your dishes;
– Avoid serving sweets or unhealthy snacks high in fat, sugar and salt to children;
– Use a variety of healthier cooking methods such as baking, grilling, steaming or boiling. Avoid deep-frying;
– Avoid fizzy or carbonated drinks. Choose drinks that contain less than 6g per 100ml of sugar and provide water;
– Provide fresh fruit juices as an alternative to cordials;
– Fresh or dried fruits can be served as desserts;
– Avoid preparing too much food. An open house is not an event to show-off but rather an occasion to strengthen our relationship with others;
– Prepare bite-size biscuits and cakes or provide a smaller plate for your guests;
– Avoid using too much preservatives and colouring in your cakes and biscuits;
– When serving hot drinks, separate the sugar or serve a sweetener and low-fat milk instead. Avoid providing condensed milk as this is high in sugar and fat.
Hari Raya should not be an occasion for us to overindulge and cause ill health to ourselves and our families.
There is no better way we can show care for our guests than by providing and encouraging healthy choices.
Take the initiative and be a ‘Healthy Hero’ this Hari Raya.
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