life rekindled
MEN ON THE POLE?
PLAID PLAIDIN' IT UP GET FIT!
HIIT
THE GYM
AUG’17 ISSUE
BREAKFAST ON-THE-GO
colour inside NEW 'FAST FOOD': CHEF IN BOX
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Contents FEATURE FALLING SHORT BUT STANDING TALL MEN ON THE POLE
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FASHION PLAID: PREPPY TO GRUNGY
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12
ENTERTAINMENT DOES COLOURING HEAL?
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LIFESTYLE
BUMPY RIDE FOR BIKE RETAILERS?
WELLNESS HIIT-ting THE GYM? SPOONFULS OF GOODNESS CAN CHEF-IN-BOX ALSO BE HEALTH IN A BOX?
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EDITOR’S EDITOR’S NOTE NOTE Hi love! I’m glad you’re here to see our first issue of ignite come to fruition! Frankly, scared is the word to describe how I felt when the team and I first embarked on this journey. We started off unsettled and disorganised, unclear of what we wanted our magazine to be. I’ll admit that we did face our fair share of troubles along the way, as new teams always do. The team has definitely come a long way since then, we’ve developed our individual styles and our personality as the ignite team. I’m so glad you now get to hold ignite in the flesh, when it started out just as an idea in the minds of 7 creative individuals. We extend to you our most heartfelt thanks for picking up a copy of ignite and I truly hope you enjoy it. The goal of ignite is to simply spread the good vibes, since life indeed is good. Here at ignite, we venture to present life in its full glory – to create a sense of excitement for the little things in life. For our very first issue, my team and I took some time to reflect upon the things that we are passionate about; the things that make us feel alive. And we hope that the pieces we’ve curated make you feel the same way.
Danisha LiAng,
OUR TEAM
Qadirah Wahid
Jeraine chu (Visual editor)
rae woo
rda
fi Sofia Ha
(Designer)
tricia chia
SUB-EDITORS
DESIGN TEAM
Shameerza fitry (Designer)
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FALLING SHORT BUT
STANDING TALL
JERAINE CHU finds out if shorter models can make it big in the modelling industry.
Tall and beautiful – that’s prob-
fashion models should look like and 82 per cent of the 65 responably the first thing that comes to dents associated the word “tall” mind when one thinks of a fashion with models. Some said models model. We are so used to seeing should be at least 170cm tall. lanky girls strutting down the runway. But here’s the question – what Industry standards do differ for about shorter models? every country. For example, mod elling agencies in Singapore accept Over the years, there have been models who 165cm or taller as numerous debates on whether the compared to the industry standards modelling industry is lacking in the in America where fashion models diversity of fashion models and in have to be at least 175cm in height, this case, their heights. ignite con- as seen from some modelling agenducted a survey to find out Singa- cies’ websites such as www.newyoporeans’ perceptions on how rkmodels.com. Despite the fact that there is an industry standard set, many agencies are still willing to make exceptions for models who, to them, have the ‘complete package’. One popular example is supermodel Kate Moss who was the first to break the height barrier with a height of 167cm while Lily Rose-Depp, standing at 160cm, walked for many runway shows despite her young age of 17.
In 2009, Tyra Banks, the creator of the television series, America’s Next Top Model, decided to cast models for Cycle 13, who are at 170cm and below – which is well outside the bounds of the industry standard for model height. The show directed lots of attention to shorter models with most of the Cycle 13 girls being signed to agencies like New York Models Management and more. “There are standards in terms of fitting into sample-sized clothes and everything, just as standards for other industries,” said Ms Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, 21, a model from Basic Models Management, who represented Singapore in Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3.
FEATURE
According to Ms Cheng-Bradshaw, models have to be able to fit the clothing samples that are provided by designers and sometimes height really does matter. This is because most designers believe that clothes designed by them would look better “We consider not just the height but on a tall individual as compared to also other factors when scouting a model who is shorter as the clothand accepting models, it’s really ing will bunch up and wrinkle. about the package – whether the model is versatile or not,” said Ms With the modelling industry and Bonita Ma, the head booker at a lo- trends forever changing, designers cal modelling agency, Basic Mod- and brands are looking for differels Management. ences and diversity in models. Who knows? We might be seeing more While models who meet the height models breaking the height barrier, requirements are considered as strutting down the runway in the high-fashion, commercial or edi- near future. torial models, shorter models are classified under the petite division. “[If] the client likes you, then it’s Despite being the minority in the great, but if they’ve got other ideals modelling scene, there were still in mind, then it’s not the job meant models who made it big like super- for you and that’s totally fine. models Devon Aoki and Marilyn That’s why for modeling, you’ve Monroe standing at 165cm only. really got to have tough skin,” said Ms Cheng-Bradshaw.
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MEN ON THE FEATURE
POLE
RAE WOO explores the
stigma against pole dancing men.
T hink of pole dancing and you might think of scantily clad women
in the underground pubs of Singapore hanging off metal poles. However, it is not only women who take part in pole dancing – contrary to popular belief, more men are taking part in the sport too. Mr Jacques Lim, 39, a male pole dance instructor at SLAP (Singapore Lap and Pole Dance) Studio, is one of the men who is going beyond the stigma and stereotypes. Mr Lim has been teaching pole dance for one and a half years. He took up the challenge (pole dancing) seven years ago, after a female friend’s recommendation. He said that there are definitely more men participating in it now. Commonly associated with the “sleazy” nightlife scene, women who pole dance have always been shunned and looked down upon. However, in recent years, pole dancing has become increasingly popular among people looking for a new form of exercise or hobby. With more pole dance-specialised studios popping up in Singapore, people of all ages have found themselves being more open-minded to the sport. According to The Straits Times, there are some 2000 people joining Singapore’s pole dancing scene, and the number of male participants are steadily increasing. This number was an estimate from various local studios. “Feature articles, videos and entertainment shows (in the media) are now showing how a lot of men have taken up pole dancing, and how it’s not what they had imagined it to be – [a] ‘stripper’,” Mr Lim said.
He adds: “Pole dancing is an allround exercise that incorporates strength, core, flexibility and musicality. Some of them who have tried (pole dancing) realised that being able to lift 200 pounds in the gym means nothing when you are not able to even lift your own body weight.” Mr Lim’s family and friends are very supportive of him being a male pole dancer. “However, they often wonder how awkward it must have been to wear so little clothes and do exercises with a bunch of other men and women, even sometimes lifting their butts to hold them up,” he says. The same goes for Mr Louis Sue, a 24-year-old male pole dance instructor and Singapore’s most active male pole dance competitor. In an interview with CLEO Singapore, Mr Sue said that his family and friends were very supportive of his career in the pole dance community and that his father bought him his very first pole. However, what do men who don’t engage in pole dancing think about those that do?
Dylan Wong, 17, says: “Pole dancing is a form of art and a way to express one’s self. There should be no such thing as a gender difference when it comes to the expression of one’s art. As long as you like it and can do it, there is no reason not to.” “I do think there is a stigma against men who pole dance and I would think that it’s because of the feminine and provocative nature of the dance. Pole dancing is also usually associated with places such as strip clubs,” said Muhammad Syahmi Bin Rohaizan, 18. “As more males try out the sport and educate their peers, the society will slowly walk out of this stereotyping. As a matter of fact, a lot of girlfriends and wives are encouraging their partners to take up pole dancing,” said Mr Lim. The 39-year-old pole dance instructor ends off by saying: “Great friendships are also fostered with a lot of trust since we often see each other in an environment where a lot of skin is exposed. Just think about how many friends you have at the moment, and how comfortable you are exposing your skin to them.
“Do you think stigma should stop you from attaining a better body and fostering great friendships?”
FEATURE
Mr Lim also attributes the physical benefits of pole dancing as one of the reasons why men have decided to take it up as a sport. “Some are bored of the usual exercises that they are doing day in and day out – gym, gym, gym, gym and more gym.”
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PLAID:
FROM PREPPY TO GRUNGY Follow DANISHA LIANG as she explores the history and the versatility of plaid.
PLAID IS BACK From Mulberry to Gucci, this year’s Autumn/Winter collection have been teeming with plaid. Versatility is one of plaid’s greatest assets and it has evolved over the years, so it doesn’t matter if your style is classic girl or boy next door, or androgynous – plaid always makes its comeback.
THE BIRTH OF PLAID The birth of plaid began in the 1930s. One cold winter in Michigan, USA, helped to create plaid outerwear, known to us now as flannels. Flannels soon became a winter staple, and remained a popular choice of clothing for only that season, eventually appearing on the cover of Vogue in 1939.
PLAID BOOM
FASHION
It wasn’t till the 1970s that plaid was seen everywhere. Daisy Duke, played by Catherine Bach, from American TV series The Dukes of Hazzard revolutionised and brought sex appeal to the plaid image. She tied the classic black-red plaid flannel above her waist and styled it with a pair of short denim cut-offs. According to Ms Ginette Chittick, Programme Leader of the Diploma in Fashion at LASALLE College of the Arts, British designer Vivienne Westwood “designed loads of anti-fashion garments servicing the burgeoning London punk
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scene and [later] dressing the infamous Sex Pistols in the early 1970s. This would later help the “grunge aesthetic [incorporate] checked flannel lumberjack shirts.”
Though he received backlash for that collection during that period, it was revolutionary. Vogue also called that collection “before its time” and that “his radical grunge runway was emblematic” after the concept was seen on other runways in the 1990s. Cathy Horyn even revoked her statement afterwards in a In the 1980s, plaid transformed yet New York Times article. again, this time, to a more preppy style. Then came the most iconic period in plaid, the 1990s. Grunge bands like Nirvana popularised plaid, making it one of the most loved 90s fashion looks, according to a Cosmopolitan article written by Fast forward to 2017, and plaid is making another comeback. Plaid, Jess Edwards. tartan, gingham checks, whatever you name it, this up and coming pattern is making a very strong statement this year. In 1992, Marc Jacobs was still designing for designer Perry Ellis. Many renowned brands have taken Jacobs designed a grunge collec- to accentuating plaid in their detion that showcased plaid featuring signs. Mulberry, a United Kingdom modelling icons– Naomi Campbell based brand, featured plaid in 18 and Kate Moss. However, it re- of its 50 looks for its Autumn/Winceived criticism as Jacob took looks ter’17 Collection. The brand also from the grunge subculture to the used plaid in big, bold ways that are runways which offended fashion clearly unafraid to call attention to this classic design. critic Cathy Horyn.
FROM GRUNGY TO PREPPY
PLAID MAKES ITS COMEBACK
THE REVOLUTION OF PLAID
FIRSTS WITH PLAID? If you’ve never worn plaid before, fret not. There are simple ways to incorporate the print into your current looks. Take it from Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway who carried a small gingham bag and A-list model Bella Hadid who went for gingham shoes. If you can’t afford Mulberry, there are places in Singapore to get your quick affordable plaids. One classic place is Japanese lifestyle brand Uniqlo, which has flannels and work-appropriate plaid shirts available all year round. If you’re looking for something trendier and more ‘in’, Topshop is the place for you as they always carry a wide range of clothing. If you’re lucky, you might even stumble upon some plaid pants, the perfect plaid statement piece. Both brands feature their plaid clothing items on their websites. Plaid is a motif that can be changed to suit everyone’s style, it’s the chameleon of prints. It’s changed so much over the years, from preppy to grunge. So, will you go mad for plaid?
FASHION
Amanda Wong, 18, carries her in an androgynous fashion “Grunge is anathema to plaid calling it “simple but not too basic”. Typically worn over a plain t-shirt, fashion,” she said. Amanda’s plaid flannels are a common choice for her laid-back style. It’s no wonder flannels are AmanJacobs was fired immediately but da’s chosen plaid-amour, since she that collection eventually became candidly mentions how each one of plaid’s most pivotal mo- flannel is different in its own way so plaid can’t be boring to wear. ments in all its history.
On the flipside, Communications Assistant, Justina Nai, dons her. plaid through statement pieces more than the common plaid shirt. The 25-year-old’s prized possession is a tartan coat by Dorothy Perkins. The reason for her plaid obsession is simple – she can “dress it up, dress it down and still look chic.”
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Does Colouring Heal? s
ince a young age, Julieana Binte Suhaimi has always loved colouring. She believes it helps her express herself and her creativity. “It allows me to take my mind off of things happening in life and just be in my own world. And colouring is somehow an analogy of giving my own life some colours.” she says, “It’s just so soothing”. After receiving an adult colouring book from a friend, the 18-year-old has since become a big fan of them and has been a continuously committed one, colouring and buying these books for two years. An article by New Yorker wrote that, the trend of adult colouring books started because of social media as it provided a platform for colourists’ to showcase their creations and offer advice to other colourists. Another reason is because of the ‘Peter Pan market’ according to dconstruct. This is because millennials want to indulge in their childhood experiences to escape their everyday stresses and anxieties. So, does this mean colouring is a form of art therapy.
ENTERTAINMENT
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
According to Art Therapists’ Association Singapore (ATAS), art therapy is the combination of the principles of psychotherapy and the experience of creative expression. This helps an individual express themselves visually in many different ways such as painting, drawing or sculpture – which may not be easily expressed in words.
Join TRICIA CHIA and SOFIA HAFIRDA as they fill in on whether adult colouring books are a form of art therapy.
What are the benefits?
Art therapist Mr Yenn Ang, 37, mentions that there are many benefits of art therapy such as relieving stress, helping one become more aware of thoughts and behaviours, regulating one’s emotions and providing personal emotion healing. However, colouring should not be mistaken as a form of art therapy.
RELIEF AND THERAPy
“For people who want distraction and relaxation, colouring helps to free their mind for a moment, to work on images [that are] already drawn or printed.” Mr Ang says, “The activity itself is not a form of therapy, though it can be soothing.” Mr Ang also mentions how colouring is not a solution if people believe it helps them to attentively work out challenges in their life or be active creators, “Colouring may limit the person and restrict [their] individual ideas and abilities.” Mr Ang adds.
TAKING THE MIND OFF..
Another art therapist, Mrs Daphna Arbell Kehila, 57, agrees that colouring is not a form of therapy – even though it helps relieve stress. This is because colouring relieves stress differently. “The way colouring helps release stress is based on the fact that one does not need to put in effort to think and can be busy in the technical activity of colouring.” Mrs Kehila adds.
People like Julieana fall well within this category, being able to spend as long as four hours, indulging in it. “It’s a temporary escape from life,” she says, “I’m able to express my frustration and stress through letting my mind wander by colouring.”
Her reason? “I feel satisfied with myself and at the same time recharged,” she adds with a laugh, “This relaxes my mind because it’s like a break from thinking about other things that stress me”
IS IT FOR EVERYONE?
However, colouring books may not be for everyone. Ms Lucy Mucklow, an art therapist who has also authored six adult colouring books such as the Colour Me series say some people find that colouring is the best way to relax while others may find other outlets like playing music, doodling or running more relaxing for them. She says, “Every person has to explore what method works best for them but I think people should give it (colouring) a chance. They need to discover for themselves if colouring is their preferred method to relax.”
DID YOU KNOW?
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The word Mandala means “circle” And it represents wholeness. Mandalas ARE KNOWN TO HELP ONE meditatE and heal. d! a e h s! e a n i o l G the n i ur Colo
ENTERTAINMENT
12 SHAMEERZA FITRY finds out if Singapore’s new bike sharing providers affect the business of bike retailers and bike-rental providers.
B
ike-sharing providers such as ofo, oBike and Mobike have been in Singapore since the beginning of 2017. As our roads are increasingly dotted with their yellow and orange bicycles, bike retailers are seeing less customers in their shops. Expectedly, this has raised some concerns amongst them.
1 2 Cycle, a bike retailer, expressed that the pop-ups of bike-sharing providers does affect the sales of bikes, but not as much as bike rental providers. “We do not sell low-end bikes, so customers come in to buy (the bicycles) because they know it’s of good quality,” says Mr Koh Zhen Rong, 34, Manager of 1 2 Cycle Singapore. Despite this, Mr Koh still faces a dip in sales due to the convenience and affordability that bike-sharing providers offer.
LIFESTYLE
On the other hand, owner of Hello Bicycle, Ms Irina Maksimenko, 34, says: “The bulk of our business is selling bikes and because of the increased demand for bikes, there has been an increase in sales. So bike-sharing barely affected my business.” “Also, our bikes are good for city riding. It is for people who want to ride it with their friends, take Instagram-worthy photos, and do all these at their own comfort, for fun. It is more like a leisure-sport entertainment, rather than just for travelling,” she adds.
After the startup of ofo, oBike and Mobike, their colours have become so distinct that one could spot the familiar yellow or orange from a distance away. Armies of these bikes have invaded public spaces – under the void deck, along sidewalks, staircases, roads and even the corridors of HDB residences. This has caused inconvenience for pedestrians and HDB residents because the overload of these bikes takes a lot of space, but bike rental providers face more worry.
When questioned about their relatively high prices, Mr Dignos justifies that bike rental companies have to bear the cost of the shop’s rental and manpower: “It is unfair how these bikes can be parked randomly without having to pay rent when we have to pay high rental cost and manpower to operate in this park.”
Mr Jierer Dignos, 36, a senior worker of bike rental provider Coastline Leisure, claims that these bike-sharing services has caused a significant drop of 50 per cent in their business.
Instead, a promotion is put in place to attract more customers. One example is on weekdays where if you rent a bicycle for an hour, you will get the next hour free according to Mr Muhammad Reezal, 26, a supervisor at GoCycling Singapore.
ignite, conducted a survey and found out that almost 67 per cent Singaporeans prefer bike-sharing over bike renting as it is more affordable. For example, bicycles at East Coast Park are priced at $7-$12 an hour while ofo, oBike or Mobike charge 50 cents to $1 per half-hour.
So when asked if there would be a decrease in the prices for renting a bicycle, both bike rental shops 1 2 Cycle and Hello Bicycle adamantly said no.
All things considered, the bicycle rental shops and retailers remain optimistic about their business.
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BUMPY BUMPY ?
LIFESTYLE
WELLNESS
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HIIT-TING THE GYM? QADIRAH WAHID tells you what you need to know before trying high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
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Back
in his secondary school days, Abdul Rohim was a “scrawny, skateboarder-like guy”. After witnessing his brother go through the transformation from bony to brawny, he was inspired to do the same. He started his journey with High-Intensity-Interval Training (HIIT) which are short bursts of intense workouts, performed at 80 to 95 per cent of one’s estimated maximal heart rate. Considering the expected degree of a typical HIIT routine, the average person could potentially lose 12 to 16 calories per minute during the peak of such a workout. The (now) 20-year-old religiously followed his brother to the gym and blindly mimicked his (brother’s) routines without truly understanding the purpose or techniques of each exercise. This later resulted in him sustaining a bicep tear, which restricted him from carrying on with HIIT for at least two months. After his recovery, he returned to HIIT but worked on perfecting his form before proceeding to work towards his desired physique.
These beginners are not wrong for choosing this type of workout. However, in the midst of their haste to achieve their desired fitness results as fast as possible, many fall into the trap of neglecting proper form and technique like Rohim did. According to Mr Shoban Rahulapaskaran, a sports injury physiotherapist from Physiokit Singapore, back sprains and shoulder injuries are two of the most common injuries experienced by patients who practise HIIT. “Though most of them were caused accidentally, there are a few cases where the cause lies in their lack of precaution. They are fixated on getting so much
done in such a short amount of time, they sacrifice their form and technique,” Mr Shoban explains. He adds that the patients he normally comes across in these situations are those he would classify as ‘weekend warriors’ – working adults in their 20s to 30s, who are too busy during the week to exercise and therefore attempt to squeeze as much as they can within the weekend. Both Mr Tay and Mr Shoban agree that polishing one’s form and technique is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when executing HIIT workouts. Some other recommended methods include: taking up fitness programmes, personal trainers or sports coaches, or simply planning your workout routine right. Mr Tay urges the importance of adequate warm up and “knowing your limit” as many people including those who are highly experienced, may get carried away with their workout and risk burning out.
WELLNESS
Over the past few years, HIIT has become an increasingly popular choice of exercise.
The idea of being able to burn more calories within a shorter period of time seemed to appeal to many types of people, primarily teens and working adults. Fitness trainer Mr Gordan Tay, 27, claims to notice more young adults between the ages of 19 and 24 visiting gyms to practise HIIT exercises. Among this age group, he also finds a generous handful of newcomers who are not too experienced with fitness routines, let alone intensive training. He says, “People who are new to [HIIT] are the most eager to try the training usually because they want to lose fat quickly.”
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A good source of carbs, fiber and important vitamins and antioxidants. Oats have many health benefits such as weight loss and lower blood sugar levels.
WELLNESS
Improves eye care and proper brain function. Antioxidants in strawberries help prevent various types of cancers and reduce the signs of premature aging.
Blueberries decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair.
Spoonfuls of Goodness STEPS:
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a quick & Healthy breakfast PARFAIT ON THE GO!
1. Put a layer of oats on the bottom of your mason jar. 2. Add a generous amount of Greek yogurt 3. Then, top it with strawberries, blueberries and oats however you like! 4. Add as many layers of yogurt, fruits and oats as you prefer. 5. If you prefer sweetened yogurt, try adding honey as a healthier option! 6. Seal your parfait in the fridge with the mason jar’s lid overnight to bring to school for breakfast!
INGREDIENTS
WELLNESS
OATS STRAWBERRIES BLUEBERRIES GREEK YOGURT HONEY (OPTIONAL)
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CAN CHEF-IN-BOX ALSO BE HEALTH IN A BOX? Join SOFIA HAFIRDA as she finds out whether ready-made meals can have the best of both worlds being wholesome and healthy.
With both of his parents working most of the time, 18-year-old student Richie Ang Ryan had to make or buy his own meals. He would often get instant noodles or buy a few ready-made meals at 7/11 as he prefers having cheap yet delicious food that are fast to make in the comfort of his own home. However, he knew how unhealthy it was especially when he would eat these ‘meals’ at least three to four times a week.
WELLNESS
When Richie found out that Singapore’s first vending machine café was just a shy five minutes away from his house, he had to give the place a try. “My initial thought was the food probably doesn’t taste as good as cooked food and I thought they’re going to sell cup noodles,” Richie says with a laugh. To his surprise, he’d been proven wrong. Now, he is a regular customer purchasing meals there every so often.
HOW CHEF IN BOX STARTED As of August last year, two more vendcafés have opened in Ang Mo Kio and Lakeside. Known as Chef in Box, the new food spot doesn’t only sell drinks and snacks, but also a variety of meals from western to local delights. It’s available 24/7, seven days a week. What’s more, all meals are ready in less than four minutes. Ms Serene Chia, Business Development Manager of Chef in Box says: “JR Vending, a subsidiary company of JR Group, owns and operates Singapore’s first hot food vending machine and conceptualized the development of these ‘vendcafés’.” This idea stemmed from a vision they had of creating quality meals in a box for the convenience of all customers.
However, in a survey conducted by ignite, almost half of the respondents associate ready-made meals with unhealthiness although 28.6 per cent find them convenient. When asked about this stigma, Ms Chia claims she’s all too familiar with it. “Most people equate ready-made meals (RMs) as heavily processed foods and hence, not healthy,” she says. Isabelle Caroline, an 18-year old student, agrees that these meals can be unhealthy. Yet, she can’t stay away from them. “I love eating ready-made meals so much despite knowing how unhealthy they can be because they’re so convenient. I would usually opt for fast and quick options like cup noodles. It saves me a lot of time and effort,” says Isabelle.
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According to Chef In Box, they have a certification on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and ISO 22000 which means they are committed to producing or trading safe food and have a food safety management system in place. “Our meals are made daily from fresh ingredients and we don’t use processed items. There are also no additives or preservatives used,” Miss Chia assures, “but we are able to give the products a longer shelflife based on the manufacturing process we adopt.” Another reason why Chef in Box’s food taste like actual cooked food is because the meals are prepared by chefs before being sent to a blast-chilling machine to quickly bring down the temperature. This is known as the ‘cook-chill’ and ‘cook-freeze’ technology.
Not only does it prevent bacteria from multiplying, it also ensures freshness without compromising the food safety standard. Dr Sara Valentine, 44, a nutritionist and wellness consultant of Valentine Nutrition, believes this is a good preservation process but it adds no nutritional value to the meal. “It’s just bacterial prevention,” she says. She added that she does not believe ready-made meals can be healthy. “[If] something doesn’t have a short shelf life then it’s not very natural. One should have small quantities of these convenient meals bi-weekly or less as they are high in carbohydrates and low in protein,” she explains, “This is because carbohydrates are the cheapest form to produce and too much of it can result in many adverse health implications.”
She advised that most people should maintain an 80/20 ratio: 80 per cent healthy and 20 per cent convenient and fast foods. “The less of the latter, the better,” she adds. She also mentioned that another rule of thumb to follow if one is skeptical about convenient foods is: “If the ingredients contain words or codes you don’t understand, then it’s likely that your body doesn’t understand it either.” “Bodies are not designed to process chemicals, which tend to stay in our body as toxins,” says Dr Valentine. “Sustainable health is about balance and realistic objectives. Being healthy takes time and effort,” the nutritionist explains, “so convenience and time and effort are generally not aligned.”
WELLNESS
PAST
EMPOWERS FUTURE. #nmd