PETALING JAYA: Eating is almost a national passion in Malaysia and while enjoying the good food is fine, what we need is “clever eating”, say experts.

       “It’s about moderate eating that includes taking proper supplements and increasing exercise to burn off the excess sugar so that they don’t turn into fat,” said holistic medical practitioner Datuk Dr Rajen Manicka.

       Clever eating, he said, meant less carbs and smaller portions, eating more protein and healthy fat.

       Starchy foods, he said, would break down into sugar and end up as fat in our bodies, raising the risk of diabetes.

       “We are used to eating for the sake of eating, such as during breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, supper and late supper.

       “We eat when our friends eat, when we watch movies or go out. But we don’t need to eat so much,” he said.

       Dr Rajen likened the body to a car that should not be overfilled with petrol.

       “Our body needs the right kind of food and fuel. We can even go ‘carb-less’ for a meal every day,” he said, pointing out that people should take smaller portions of simple carbs such as rice, noodles and bread and go for good carbs such as fruits and vegetables.

       “Even if one is active and often goes to the gym, a blood test is recommended to ascertain a good blood sugar level.”

       As Malaysia is the “fattest” nation in Asia, he advised the sweet-toothed to “enjoy it slowly in smaller amounts”.

       “The pleasure of eating sweet things is for the tongue, so let it stay on the tongue for a long time,” he said.

       Dietician Fiona Lai Jie Wei also agreed that the increase in the number of diabetics was due to excessive intake of carbs among Malaysians.

       “We should opt for complex carbs like brown rice, corn, barley and other whole-grain food,” she said.

       Lai pointed out that many people were not aware they were pre-diabetic or diabetic until they undergo a simple blood sugar check.

       “The symptoms of blood sugar problems include numbness of hands and feet, itchy skin, frequent hunger, frequent urination, energy crash, feeling sleepy and tired, sudden weight loss and a craving for sugary food,” she said.

       She urged Malaysians to practise moderation when it comes to sugar.