If you look around to see what your colleagues are eating at lunchtime, it is probably not unusual to find someone who is on a diet.

In fact, a survey has found that about one in two, or 57 per cent, of Singaporeans follow diets that limit or omit certain ingredients, such as fats, sugar or meat.

The Nielsen Global Health and Ingredient-Sentiment Survey released yesterday polled more than 30,000 people online in 63 countries, including 514 people from Singapore.

But a smaller ratio of Singaporeans go on diets compared with the average of 64 per cent globally and 72 per cent in the Asia Pacific.

Dietitian Derrick Ong of Eat Right Nutrition Consultancy told The Straits Times this could reflect higher nutrition literacy in some Asian countries, especially Japan and South Korea.

“They’re more savvy about nutrition information, which is also more readily given by food manufacturers there,” he said.

The top three diets Singaporeans stick to are low/no fat (28 per cent); low/no sugar (25 per cent) and low/no carbohydrate (20 per cent).

Said Joan Koh, managing director of Nielsen Singapore and Malaysia: “The rising obesity rates, increasing number of adults living with diabetes and progressively less active lifestyles are critical motivations which nudged Singaporeans to relook their eating options and habits.”

But Mr Ong also warned that not all special diets are beneficial.

For instance, paleo diets – which are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and feature unprocessed foods – aim to return to a way of eating that mimics how early humans ate, in the belief that our bodies are better adapted for this diet.

But this has not been scientifically proven, he noted.

“Public education is important. Many people are still clueless about what to look out for in food labels,” he said. “People also need to be discerning of what is just a fad and what is sound advice.”

The survey also found what most Singapore respondents try to avoid are monosodium glutamate, or MSG, and artificial preservatives.

More than half the respondents said they were willing to pay more for food and drinks that did not have undesirable ingredients.

Ms Koh said more food retailers should offer healthier options.

“Adopting the right strategies in this growing health and wellness space will increase the chance for both food manufacturers and retailers to build a loyal shopper base and drive profits for their businesses.”

goyshiyi@sph.com.sg

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A 59-year-old security guard died from colorectal cancer, leaving behind eight children, the oldest being 15 and the youngest hardly six months old, and apparently not much means for his wife to raise them all, reported the Shin Min Daily News.

The wife of Shi Jinjian, however, conveyed her reluctance to seek help from the public when she spoke to the Chinese evening daily on Wednesday night at the wake of her husband at the void deck of Block 417 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

“I will take life one step at a time from here,” said the woman, a 35-year-old Singaporean, still overwhelmed by the death of Mr Shi, who died early this week.

However, a young woman who came to know about the plight of the family through a friend has launched a donation drive for them by posting an appeal on Facebook. It was accompanied by pictures showing the children praying at the wake.

“The wife is the sort who thinks it improper to impose one’s troubles on others.

“Besides, she wants to protect the dignity of the kids,” the woman, who does not want to be identified, told My Paper yesterday on the phone.

“But we knew that she desperately needs help, given that there are so many children to look after,” said the woman, adding that the wife apparently has not been working.

According to the woman, her post was shared more than 1,400 times in hours.

A friend of hers had personally gone to the wake to give a contribution of more than $1,000.

She acknowledged that the Facebook campaign has limited reach and piecemeal donations are only of short-term help.

“Friends are coming up with better ideas and suggestions, such as approaching certain welfare groups,” she said.

Six of the eight children are under 10, with the two eldest being daughters now attending secondary school.

“Previously, they placed the kids aged 2 to 5 with the childcare centre,” a neighbour told Shin Min.

Said a female neighbour surnamed Wang: “Knowing that their life is difficult, I have earlier given their eldest kids school textbooks no longer needed by my children.”

The neighbours all took pity on the wife, saying it would be tough to raise eight children all by herself, reported Shin Min.

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