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When you dine out in Singapore, are you familiar with the red logos displayed at various diners or eateries? Do you know what they mean? How do they help you with your diet?
In our second post for today, we explore the Healthier Dining Programme by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and how you can use it when dining out!
What is the Healthier Dining Programme?
The Healthier Dining Programme is an initiative by HPB, which is the first phase of Singapore's Food Strategy which aims to provide more healthier food choices, that are affordable and accessible, to the public.
Through the Healthier Dining Programme, Food and Beverage (F&B) businesses in Singapore are able to partner with HPB to develop and promote healthier menu options for their customers, by applying for HPB's Healthier Dining Grant.
F&B businesses that have partnered with HPB would display a red decal that states "Healthier options available here", which is a common sight when you dine out.
Besides that, their menus may display logos which states in what way their meals are healthier, such as:
"We use healthier oil"
"Lower in calories"
"Higher whole-grains"
"Lower in calories and higher in whole-grains"
"We serve whole-grains and lower calorie meals"
Click the button below to find out the list of Healthier Dining Partners! You can also try searching up the diners near you to see if they are part of the Healthier Dining Programme! (Fun fact: Did you know that McDonald's is included in the list too?)
Why do I need to be aware of the Healthier Dining Programme?
When we eat, it is essential for us to be aware about the amount of calories we consume, as an overconsumption may lead to weight gain.
Based on an average weight and physical activity of the average male and female Singaporean, the average recommended daily caloric intake for males is 2200 calories while for females, the recommended intake is 1800 calories. (Find out your own recommended calorie intake here!)
To ensure we do not consume too much calories, we can dine at F&B outlets that display these logos, so that we can make better meal choices. Let's all be mindful about our calorie intake so that we do not increase our risk of obesity and other chronic diseases!
How can I utilise the Healthier Dining Programme?
Now that we are aware of the Healthier Dining Programme, how can we use it to plan our meals, especially when we eat outside?
HPB has created an interactive 7-day plan that you can use to guide you, if you are one to eat out frequently! Click the button below to try it out!
If you would also like more tips on making healthier decisions when dining at a restaurant, click on the button below!
+ Healthier Choice Symbol
The Healthier Dining Programme allows us to make better choices when we dine out. Well are you aware that when you're on a grocery run to get food to eat at home, you can also make healthier choices?
Another way for us to make healthier choices when we're outside, is looking out for products that display the Healthier Choice Symbol! This is another initiative by HPB to encourage us to make healthier options when eating at home!
What kind of symbols can you find and what do they mean? Well, there are 6 types of symbols which are:
1) Higher in Wholegrains
For products that contain at least 20% more wholegrains compared to similar products from the same food category.
Some examples of products with this symbol are brown (or unpolished) rice, brown rice vermicelli (bee hoon), wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholemeal breads, wholegrain pasta and wholegrain cereal beverages.
2) Higher in Calcium
For products that contain at least 25% more calcium compared to similar products.
Some examples of products with this symbol are calcium-fortified soy products, milk and milk products.
3) Lower in Sugar
For products that contain at least 25% less sugar compared to regular sweetened beverages or products from the same food category.
Some examples of products with this symbol are Asian drinks, sweetened drinks, cultured milk products, juice drinks and dried fruits.
4) Lower in Sodium
For products that contain at least 25% less sodium compared to similar products.
Some examples of products with this symbol are sauces, recipe mixes and paste, canned and processed meats, processed seafood-based foods, dried legumes, nuts and seeds.
5) Lower in Saturated Fats
For products that contain at least 25% less saturated fat compared to similar products.
Some examples of products with this symbol are dairy products, edible oils, fat spreads, convenience meals and 3-in-1 beverages.
6) Trans Fat-Free
For products that contain no or negligible amounts of trans fat i.e. less than 0.5g per 100g of the product.
Some examples of products with this symbol are margarines, edible oils, biscuits and cookies, cakes, breads and rolls.
If you would like more information on the Healthier Choice Symbols, click here!
Conclusion
Now that we are more aware of the initiatives taken by HPB, let's be wiser in deciding where to eat or what to buy, so that we can make healthier options! By doing so, we can definitely improve our diet to ensure we do not consume too much calories each day!
Sources
Health Promotion Board, 2014. Health Promotion Board's Food Strategy Aims to Change the Way Singaporeans Eat at Home and Eat Out. [Online] Available at: https://www.hpb.gov.sg/article/health-promotion-board%27s-food-strategy-aims-to-change-the-way-singaporeans-eat-at-home-and-eat-out
Health Promotion Board, 2019. Healthier Dining Programme. [Online] Available at: https://www.hpb.gov.sg/healthy-living/food-beverage/healthier-dining-programme
Health Promotion Board, 2020. How Much Calories Do I Need A Day?. [Online] Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1341/how-much-to-eat-at-each-meal
Health Promotion Board, 2021. Make a Healthier Choice Today!. [Online] Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/211/make_healthier_choice
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