Healthy Eating Still Costly For Many Malaysian Households

Samuel Chua

9th September 2025 - 3 min read

The Ministry of Health’s “suku suku separuh” healthy plate model, which encourages balanced meals, remains financially out of reach for many Malaysians. This was highlighted in a recent survey conducted by the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy together with Universiti Teknologi Mara.

The two-week online study involved 687 participants nationwide, who submitted photos of their meals along with estimated costs if prepared at home. The findings underline the challenges households face in aligning their diets with recommended nutritional standards.

Cost of a Balanced Meal Varies by State

According to the survey, the average cost of preparing a balanced meal was RM12.57. Prices, however, differed widely across states.

Meals were most affordable in Kedah at RM8.53, followed closely by Terengganu at RM8.71 and Pahang at RM8.78. On the other end, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest average at RM16.27, with Johor at RM14.84, Selangor at RM14.60, and Sarawak at RM14.20 also among the costlier states.

Mid-range costs were observed in Negeri Sembilan at RM11.78, Melaka at RM11.62, Sabah at RM10.33, and Penang at RM10.22. Other states that stayed below RM10 included Perlis at RM9.68, Perak at RM9.95, and Labuan at RM9.50.

The Healthy Plate Model Explained

The “suku suku separuh” framework recommends dividing each meal into three portions: a quarter protein, a quarter carbohydrates, and half fruits and vegetables. The goal is to encourage balanced nutrition and reduce reliance on calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods.

However, the survey’s findings suggest that cost remains a significant barrier to consistent adoption of this model across different households.

Calorie Intake Patterns Among Malaysians

The same survey analysed calorie levels in meals. It found that 57.1% of lunch meals fell within the moderate range of 400 to 600 calories. About 23.6% exceeded 600 calories, while 19.2% provided less than 400 calories.

This suggests that although many households are able to control calorie levels, nutritional balance is not always guaranteed due to cost constraints and food choices.

Recommendations For Improving Access

The Galen Centre urged the government to strengthen subsidies and incentives for healthier food options. It also recommended setting up a centralised data platform to track research findings and involving food industry stakeholders in solutions.

In addition, the Centre suggested that the Ministry of Health could help households identify healthier yet affordable choices by publishing a list of suitable food items.

Rising Health Concerns Linked To Diet

The survey results arrive at a time when non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in Malaysia. Diabetes prevalence has increased from 11.6% in 2006 to 18.3% in 2019.

In a separate report, a health ministry subsidiary revealed that nearly 70% of the 301,650 participants screened under the PeKa B40 scheme in 2023 had at least one NCD.

According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 2.5% of Malaysian adults live with all four major NCDs, while 40% of individuals with diabetes were unaware of their condition until diagnosed through screening.

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