Healthy eating has been affected by years of inflation. The rising cost of living has forced many to be more frugal, which has meant cutting back on grocery bills and shopping for cheaper and usually less healthy.

 

Yet despite these limitations, most people have welcomed 2024 promise to themselves to eat healthier. ThaiiPBS World asked nutrition and food biotechnology expert Assoc Prof Chalat Santivarangkna, director of the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University, what he thinks we will be eating, drinking and snacking on the coming year.

 

The following are his predictions. director, the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University

 

Caption: Cannabis businesses like this one in Bangkok’s Chinatown have sprung up all over the country. //Photo by Veena Thoopkrajae

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-11

 

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23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

what he thinks we will be eating, drinking and snacking on the coming year.

 

Yow vill eat the buds 

Fruits and vegetables are very expensive now, not just in Thailand. Pondering where to save money; meat, dairy, snacks, or greens, fresh fruits and vegetables usually lose out when I go shopping.

 

By the way, looking at the picture; what does 'Cann-cha' have to do with healthy food? LOL

Edited January 11, 20242 yr by StayinThailand2much

I find the healthy offering here to be hard to find, that's one of the biggest things I miss from back home in the states, at least for those of us who choose to eat healthy. Plus Thai's need to stop eating so much white rice, belly pork, and greasy fried foods dripping with oil.

8 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

I find the healthy offering here to be hard to find, that's one of the biggest things I miss from back home in the states, at least for those of us who choose to eat healthy. Plus Thai's need to stop eating so much white rice, belly pork, and greasy fried foods dripping with oil.

What looks healthy and nutritious has been sprayed to death with chemicals.

Everything else has been deep fried in heavily refined and processed oil.

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Fruits and vegetables are very expensive now, not just in Thailand. Pondering where to save money; meat, dairy, snacks, or greens, fresh fruits and vegetables usually lose out when I go shopping.

 

By the way, looking at the picture; what does 'Cann-cha' have to do with healthy food? LOL

Fruits and vegetables are always expensive if you buy them in the supermarkets.

In the Thai markets fruit prices are pretty much seasonal. At the moment oranges start at 20 Baht/kilo.

Veg in the market can fluctuate from day to day, but mostly quite stable. Toms at the moment can be 50 Baht/kilo 1 day and 20 Baht the next.

Good size bundles of Chinese Kale are 10 Baht. Carrots are always cheap.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

What looks healthy and nutritious has been sprayed to death with chemicals.

Everything else has been deep fried in heavily refined and processed oil.

 

Believe me, I know, I remember an article in the BP when I came here in 2016, I believe it said 90% of tested Organic produce were covered in chemicals (some of which were illegal chemicals). 

57 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Believe me, I know, I remember an article in the BP when I came here in 2016, I believe it said 90% of tested Organic produce were covered in chemicals (some of which were illegal chemicals). 

I remember the FDA going to a Bangkok vegetable wholesale market and took samples o randomly test..

Almost everything was above limits and yes some with traces of banned chemicals.. 

Was anything done... NO..

Organic on the label means nothing in Thailand.

Must watch, and take it from me, a Keto or Keto-ish diet works. Still cheat a bit, but I'm almost all KETO now 😎

 

We've been lied to so long, it's mind boggling. The addiction to sugar & carbs was hard to break, but once past that, KETO is quite easy 

 

 

Couple everyday foods in my diet & why ...

 

... Eggs ... are considered a "complete" protein source because they contain all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs but cannot produce on its own. This makes eggs an excellent and high-quality source of protein, with an amino acid profile considered ideal by experts, serving as crucial building blocks for bodily functions like tissue repair and muscle maintenance. 

 

... Dark Chocolate (60gr of 70% cacau) ... high-cacao dark chocolate may stimulate stem cell production and mobilization, primarily due to its flavanol and polyphenol content, which helps the body's natural repair processes. Studies suggest compounds in dark chocolate can double circulating stem cells, but more research is needed to fully understand the effects and establish a direct causal link. To get potential benefits, consume high-quality dark chocolate with 70–80% cacao or more, in moderation.

 

1-2 ounces (28-56 grams) of dark chocolate daily with 70% cacao or higher may increase circulating stem cells.   

 

With the sugar content, the chocolate gets eaten well after the eggs.  Solves any sweet tooth cravings through out the day.

 

Those 2 alone give my cells a great start, getting the protein, cholesterol, amino acids and hopefully added stem cells for repair, maintenance and building new cells.  

 

Of course that means, controlling eating fats/cholesterol, sugars, and total calories the rest of the day, as the Chocolate being high in both.   Why I chose leaner cuts of meat/protein, and less starchy carbs.   Along with Canola oil when cooking, with least amount of saturated fat vs other oils.

 

 

On 9/10/2025 at 4:43 PM, KhunLA said:

... Dark Chocolate (60gr of 70% cacau) ... high-cacao dark chocolate may stimulate stem cell production and mobilization, primarily due to its flavanol and polyphenol content, which helps the body's natural repair processes. Studies suggest compounds in dark chocolate can double circulating stem cells, but more research is needed to fully understand the effects and establish a direct causal link. To get potential benefits, consume high-quality dark chocolate with 70–80% cacao or more, in moderation.