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To an utmost degree, balancing one’s personal life and dual careers is common in Singapore. Our busy schedules hinder us from preparing sophisticated meals. Thus, a good portion of the population rely on instant or ready-made snacks. Maintaining this routine can sacrifice your health for convenience. This should not always be the case!
Just because you are challenged with the elements of limited time and tight budget does not mean that you have to undermine the health benefits of snacks. Stock up on these affordable and healthy goodies for next time!
#1: GREEK YOGURT
As an early childhood educator, I realized that you can mask nutritious fruits and vegetables by incorporating them in familiar desserts. Picky eaters will be delighted to know that there is a healthier alternative to ice cream. Simply mix your favorite fruits with Greek yogurt and freeze it overnight. You may grab DAIRY FARMER’s natural Greek Yogurt (S$7.35) at Cold Storage.
What makes Greek yogurt nutritious is its low sugar and low lactose content. This means that people who suffer from lactose intolerance can eat this snack without qualms. Its benefits are mainly due to the meticulous straining process, which results to a thicker and a creamier product.
Do not confuse Greek yogurt with Greek-style yogurt! The latter usually contains gelatin, gum blends, stabilizers, preservatives, and other add-ons to achieve a thick product despite of having a quick straining process.
#2: DRIED MIXED FRUITS
Reality check, please! We live in a fast-paced city where the mere act of peeling or chopping fruits is seen as a tedious task. However, there is an alternative to snacking on bite-sized fresh fruits. Go to FairPrice to check out a variety of packed dried fruits such as the Harvest Fields’ Dried Mixed Fruits (S$3.35). Dried fruits come in many shapes and sizes. Some companies are even bold enough to experiment by adding delectable treats such as the chocolate-coated dried mangoes from the Philippines. It goes without saying that dried fruits have a huge audience to satisfy.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Dried mixed fruits has been proven to contain twice as many as antioxidants as fresh fruits. I am not suggesting that you eat an entire bowl of dried prunes or raisins. Keep the serving size in mind during consumption. To ensure that you can maximize its nutrient content, please check the ingredients before dumping several packs into your shopping basket. Steer away from added sugars and syrups.
#3: PEANUT BUTTER
Whether you want to believe it or not, research has shown that the Peanut Butter packs a macronutrient-punch! This sweet spread is rich in carbohydrates (e.g., fiber), protein, potassium, and fat. Let us move on to the “calorie bank”. It is important to note that 100 grams of Peanut Butter only contains 588 calories. I am sure that you will control your serving when snacking on this. A healthier option is unsalted peanut butter. The “Adams Unsalted Peanut Butter” is available for S$5.90 at FairPrice.
Watch your favorite TV series by snacking on whole grain crackers smeared with the said spread. Drop by the nearby FairPrice to know the difference between plain crackers and Munchy’s Wheat Cracker (S$2.30).
#4: BANANA
Banana is an ideal snack for active athletes, growing children, tireless employees, and hungry minions. Humor aside, banana is a tropical fruit containing high potassium, soluble fiber, and easily digestible simple sugars.
Presenting itself as a snack with the slightest effort to prepare, the banana has been known as the “happy fruit”. Why is this so? Banana increases serotonin levels to improve your mood. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation. Possessing positive emotions can prevent the risk of emotional binge eating.
Fortunately for you, I stumbled upon an organic online store that offers some of the best prices in the country. A quick search to organicdelivery.sg will bring you to the Organic Thai bananas that costs S$3.75 per 500 grams. Browse to their site to choose among the wide varieties of organic fruits.
Singapore is a melting pot of various cuisines that cater to all sorts of palettes including the burning one. By burn, I am pointing out the dishes that evoke a desired intraoral sensation by putting spices such as chilli (or chili) peppers and curry. Fortunately, satisfying your cravings for spicy food does not have to come with a price tag that is beyond S$40!
NAKHON KITCHEN
Image Credits: AngieKayExplorer via hungrygowhere.com
For people who love Thai food as much as I do, scouting for an affordable yet authentic restaurant can be a hobby. Look no further than the casual experience that Nakhon Kitchen can bring. Most of its dishes are reasonably priced for as low as S$6. However, its seafood dishes range from S$10-12.
Going back to the topic at hand, Nakhon Kitchen’s resident Tom Yam Soup is a reward for the spicy food enthusiasts. The extremely spicy soup is garnished with the generous amount of chicken and seafood. The distinctive aroma of lemongrass and the taste of sourness will win your heart in the first bite alone.
Location: 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-341, Singapore 530212
KKO KKO NA RA KOREAN RESTAURANT
Image Credits: Kko Kko Na Ra via facebook.com
As it turns out, spicy food seems to gravitate toward the laid-back atmosphere. I am referring to the smooth vibe of the Korean Native Language that diners at Kko Kko Na Ra Korean Restaurant can appreciate. What patrons keep coming back to is their version of a tasty fried chicken. The fried chicken has 4 flavors namely: hot & spicy, sweet & spicy, soy garlic sauce, and original. Stretch your dollar by ordering the “combo set” to get an assorted plate that features all the flavors.
Aside from the chicken, take your spicy taste-buds on a joyride as you devour either the Kimchi Chigae and the Spicy Korean Ramen. The prices of the dishes range from S$15-30.
Location: 57 Tras Street, Tanjong Pagar, Singapore 078996
MELLBEN SEAFOOD
Image Credits: Tapanick Akara via facebook.com
Mellben Seafood has grown immensely since its humble days along the Alexandra Road. Spanning with about three outlets in Singapore, Mellben Seafood is known for its delicious chilli crab. You can expect nothing but huge crabs showered with spicy, slightly sweet, and thick chili sauce. You may request to adjust the spiciness to the level that you can easily bear.
Situated at a Kopitiam in one of the HDB estates, Mellben Seafood at Ang Mo Kio is remotely away from the bustling center of the Lion City. Its menu features a wide array of crab meals such as Chilli Crab, Black Pepper Crab, Butter Crab, and Shimmering Sand Crab. The average price per person is approximately S$35. You can save more by sharing a hearty plate.
Location: #01-1222, 232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Singapore 560232
SOUTHWEST TAVERN
Image Credits: southwesttavern.com.sg/menus
Please offer a moment of silence as I usher the spiciest challenge in town – the “Spaghetti from Hell”. Food adventurers and novice alike are familiar with this Southwest Tavern dish. Put your chili tolerance to the test as you chug down a seemingly friendly plate of pasta in under 10 minutes. Come out victorious to win S$100 worth of dining vouchers or other rewards. If you are not eager to participate in this challenge, you may choose the level of spice.
Spaghetti from Hell comes in three forms: the Hell’s Gateway (about S$18), the Halfway There (about S$22), and the Level 18 (about S$26). You may also try their Suicide Wings (S$14-22) to intensify the entire meal.
Location: 8 Boon Lay Way #01-33 Tradehub 21, Singapore 609964
This article has provided your with some of Singapore’s top spicy dishes. May you enjoy the tasty burns ahead! 🙂
According to a study published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, consuming healthy food can save you money. The participants lost weight and reduced their grocery budget.
Mimic these effects by choosing healthier options and shying away from junk.
1. AVOID THE CONVENIENT
Salad sets containing assorted lettuce seems convenient but, these are a bit expensive. Individual greens can also be more vulnerable to turning wilted at a short amount of time. This is why it makes more sense to purchase the heads of lettuce, which are cheaper and usually longer lasting.
2. EMBRACE THE OATS
One of my go-to healthy fixes is the oatmeal. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber which helps lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Embrace the power of the a bowl of oats by topping it off with grated apples, almonds, or honey. Try the Quaker Quickcook Oatmeal Hearty Supreme that retails for only S$2.95.
3. BULK UP
Bulking up is applicable to some situations than others. For staples like oil and noodles, you can always stock up when they are on sale. Do not forget to compare the prices per weight of the bulk items as well as standalone items before you decide that the bulk section provides a better deal.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
4. KEEP IT GROUNDED
Ground or minced beef has a reputation of being budget-friendly as compared to its other counterparts. To get the maximum benefits for your health, go for the lean ground beef. Use it as an ingredient to your tacos or spaghetti. You may also make some patties with lettuce as its buns.
5. DITCH THE SODAS
If you are looking forward to trimming your belly before the December festivities, ditch the sodas. Sodas are not only high in calories but they also contain carbonated bubbles. These bubbles can accumulate in your belly and add a bulge. Stick to water or tea as much as possible. Try the Sea Dyke Oolong Tea for S$1.10 or the Dilmah Green Tea for S$3.85.
6. BIGGER IS BETTER
What is better than a piece of carrot? A bunch of them, of course!
You can save more money by cutting your own “big” carrots into smaller bit-sized sticks instead of purchasing the prepackaged “baby” carrots. It is best to cook these carrots to get most of the beta-carotene as these root veggies can be internally hard to break down. Moreover, carrots are full of Vitamin A, Vitamin B8, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Potassium.
7. ALWAYS COME PREPARED
It always pays well if you come to the store prepared. Nutrition expert Katherine Tallmadge encapsulates this concept when she said: “Take inventory of what you have on hand so you don’t overbuy. Create a detailed shopping list based on your needs and weekly menu plan, and take into account how you plan on using leftovers.”
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Moreover, you may bring your last grocery receipt along as a guide.
When fast food chains offer their tasty meals, they go beyond advertising on television and social media. They employ different marketing strategies to entice the consumers into spending their hard-earned cash on the spot. Just take a look at their slogans!
Burger King once used the slogan: “IT JUST TASTES BETTER”. They provide no further explanations as to why their burgers and products tastes good. They simply implant this idea because they are business-oriented people. On that note, here are the 4 Times That Fast Food Chains “Stole” Your Money:
1. TEMPTING STORE FRAGRANCES
It is no secret that smell can induce cravings. These cravings can later lead to spending money.
Some companies (like ScentAir) are in the business of copying the natural scents of different food such as grilled burger, cinnamon bun, and popcorn. They sell these scents to companies that want to enhance the overall aroma of their stores. It works because smell can actually make your food taste better.
Dr. Brian Wansink once said: “it [odor] definitely makes the dining experience much more attractive to people, but unfortunately it also makes you want to get the fries instead of the salad.”
2. OVERWHELMING BUNDLE PRICE
Seeing me sip a cup of soda is a rare sight but, I always fall for the “bundle price” marketing trick regardless of that! Bundle pricing occurs when the company sells 2 or more products as a package with an intent of saving the customers’ money. Fast food chains habitually engage in this strategy which they refer to as “value meals”.
Currently, Burger King is offering value meals that come with burgers, cheesy fries, and sodas for only S$4.95 each. How can you not fall for a price that is significantly less than the amount of each item separately?
Image Credits: burgerking.com.sg
One drawback is that the portions are lesser than the usual.
3. APPETITE-ENHANCING COLORS
From the logos to the interior, two colors seem to stay at almost every fast food chains. These two colors are red and yellow. Red and yellow stimulate appetite, which probably explains why your stomach starts to make noises as soon as you see the yellow arches or the red logo. You cannot resist spending more inside!
Interestingly, you can combat how colors affect the way you eat by controlling your own plate. Researchers at Cornell University found that when they reduced the contrast in their plates and tables or in their plates and the food itself, people tend to serve themselves less food. To eat less, pair your white plate with your white table-cloth or a blue plate with a blue table-cloth.
4. ENTICING HEALTHY FEATURES
With the continued advocacy against obesity, consumers have been warned about the health risks of various fast food joints. Some companies heard this plea and incorporated healthy options to their menu. These companies came up with low-calorie ice creams, fruit bowls, veggie wraps, and salads.
Included in these said companies are McDonald’s and Burger King. Let us take Mac’s “Chicken McNuggets® 6pc Delight 500 Meal with Dasani Drinking Water” as an example. I was impressed with the website as it showed the nutrition facts, allergen information, and food sensitivity. In fact, the amount of cholesterol is this meal is only 59 mg!
Image Credits: pixabay.com
My friends at the fitness studio who are always on the go will enjoy this seemingly healthier option. Well, you know how popular healthy detox and other healthy alternatives are in the Singaporean social media.
