Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Mooncakes: Three Tips From the Experts

Source Website: http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/News/Pages/mooncakes-tips-experts.aspx
By Joan Chew, Healthxchange, Thursday, 12 September 2013
Source: Mind Your Body; The Straits Times  © Singapore Press Holdings Limited


Mooncakes with salted egg yolks
PHOTO: Mooncakes with salted egg yolks are higher in fat and cholesterol than those without. So, when buying a box of mooncakes, mix and match those with and without yolks. This way, you get variety and also less fat and cholesterol.
Picture posted by Mark Ong, SPH Digital News on Saturday, 14 September 2013 at 08:15
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iUZnNmcFw2HeyM7XD8pX-s0wkpaDl11ian2PbvNos7_z_ST39-DStGAEaIlDTCtWuA4Ztpfy7RyBAe__NNIBFHl8rQdYaCmr1YnthCckHH3-wIgdTGOS_cFOPjp4d5FCRyOgJF6dXjg/s1600/CAFFEPRALET%25287%2529.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/sites/default/files/public/gallery/images/CAFFEPRALET%287%29.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/content/last-minute-mooncakes-healthy-versions-too



1. VARY YOUR MOONCAKES
Mooncakes with salted egg yolks are higher in fat and cholesterol than those without. A quarter slice of mooncake with double yolks contains an average of 120mg of cholesterol, which makes up about 40 per cent of a person’s daily cholesterol limit. So, when buying a box of mooncakes, mix and match those with and without yolks. This way, you get variety and also less fat and cholesterol.


A quarter slice of mooncake with double yolks contains an average of 120mg of cholesterol, which makes up about 40 per cent of a person’s daily cholesterol limit.
PHOTO: A quarter slice of mooncake with double yolks contains an average of 120mg of cholesterol, which makes up about 40 per cent of a person’s daily cholesterol limit.
Picture posted by Mark Ong, SPH Digital News on Saturday, 14 September 2013 at 08:15
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg_iOLgUAAxZhV_RHmffJ-B1wiicvwaxZA7ijq9vUi5WI27z3xJaFy1mESodnY9ni1HSL7r_VRu5KMr0RI5rKjnGE7Xu5AIY43MBRvPB2lLi1oC8w3xi4sln5bRxD0ujMxcVTL4PIi7g/s1600/amway%25282%2529.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/sites/default/files/public/gallery/images/amway%282%29.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/content/last-minute-mooncakes-healthy-versions-too



Snowskin mooncakes look light, but are not necessarily healthier than baked ones. Depending on how much icing sugar is used to make the skin, they may contain more sugar. Avoid those made with vegetable shortening. While it lengthens the shelf life and improves the texture, it contains trans fat. This form of fat raises the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol in the blood and lowers the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol. “Bad” cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, while “good” cholesterol decreases it. Snowskin mooncakes that contain fruit have slightly more fibre than those without. But they are still made of oil, sugar and flour, bringing their calorie count to a similar level.



Snowskin mooncakes
PHOTO: Snowskin mooncakes look light, but are not necessarily healthier than baked ones.
Depending on how much icing sugar is used to make the skin, they may contain more sugar. Snowskin mooncakes that contain fruit have slightly more fibre than those without. But they are still made of oil, sugar and flour, bringing their calorie count to a similar level.
Picture posted by Annie on 15 September 2013 at 12:50 pm - Pandan Custard Snowskin Mooncake
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o9_VS1TX92yHt7e9XdX5kw294C-Fqv5TCdY2XaeWgcFsZJpkAZJxyZt4pggdJuwtJiD0bYZ5aI0cVGEFmrLtk0cY2DASYFYm1tH3iKL4KfVFBO41QEyKs1uIQAljnB3s8v4UqzZmCLA/s1600/Pandan+Custard+Snow+Skin+Mooncake_thumb.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TI-BFuscsHI/UjLNCZsMryI/AAAAAAAAT94/Yt9COW3iqMA/Pandan%252520Custard%252520Snow%252520Skin%252520Mooncake_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800
http://www.houseofannie.com/page/3/



Flaky mooncakes, such as the Shanghai mooncakes, require two types of dough - plain dough and oily dough - in alternate layers. This means that flaky mooncakes contain more fat than the baked or snowskin varieties. So choose the baked or snowskin mooncakes more often than the flaky-pastry varieties. Opt for low-sugar and no-sugar mooncakes as they contain fewer calories than regular mooncakes and do not raise blood sugar levels as rapidly.



Flaky mooncakes
PHOTO: Flaky mooncakes, such as the Shanghai mooncakes, require two types of dough - plain dough and oily dough - in alternate layers. This means that flaky mooncakes contain more fat than the baked or snowskin varieties.
Picture posted by jbabies on Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - Peony Jade Mooncakes
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRVGVBeAKMXTGTkUP_-Fk4jqzuwt-j2NRDWMts3YHy4issLQRyWLtppbJ0ATEcZvT6_SFtflCMBDgvFYZ5Bd3DOQwBjBDcJvEifwnPQeGgokZfnOoGi6J91FR7u81hLDTf20N_rWR5-M/s1600/image%255B12%255D.png
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JC7eYwvEzq0/U_SzpwEqN_I/AAAAAAABhkU/-dsatUSydxY/s1600/image%25255B12%25255D.png
http://www.jbabiesinthedaisies.com/2014/08/mid-autumn-festival-2014-peony-jade.html



To check the calorie counts of various types of mooncakes, download the health app by the Health Promotion Board called the Interactive Diet and Activity Tracker (iDAT, is decomissioned, download Healthy 365 instead, http://www.healthhub.sg/apps/25/healthy365. Available for iOS and Android devices only).



Top Health Apps for a Healthy Lifestyle
PHOTO: Top Health Apps for a Healthy Lifestyle
Available for iOS and Android devices only.
Source: By Alvin Chumari for Health Xchange
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi090t18VbihXe2kxvHGz1rnqEmdft97uqV8xRIUDqOb_iGVHrAQS2lKjLfnJieAuQllT3MNIFp6g151-BT8hyJTQg1W3NDGPbZGLcNjfyjlU-6QMtCZBBnUG0b9LOUTFn2FkOT7IEjrj8/s1600/Top-Health-Apps-for-a-Healthy-Lifestyle-Pic.jpg
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/FitnessandExercise/PublishingImages/Top-Health-Apps-for-a-Healthy-Lifestyle-Pic.jpg
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/HealthatWork/Pages/Top-Health-Apps-for-a-Healthy-Lifestyle.aspx



2. LIMIT YOUR INTAKE
Have a quarter of a mooncake every other day. Do not eat it every day, which will encourage the habit of snacking. Relish your treat by eating it slowly. In a week, do not have more than one regular-sized mooncake in total.


LIMIT YOUR INTAKE
PHOTO: LIMIT YOUR INTAKE
Have a quarter of a mooncake every other day. Do not eat it every day, which will encourage the habit of snacking.
Picture posted by Julia Khoo on 1 September 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb1lBDTKcbnTw2VHmqFcn-YdkgLwhZmD-rqR0iHCMJZAddn7I7-AoLJs-uu5mVrzCzSfetkqNvIZOXGQqzNlke24vvAk5tYWfeEp-YiRRxs47So_fWbLLwaHd3Ddl_KnxY1gjpUTST9g/s1600/mandarin-court-mooncake-2012-04.jpg
http://aromacookery.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/mandarin-court-mooncake-2012-04.jpg
http://aromacookery.com/2012/09/01/mooncakes-selection-2012-from-mandarin-court-mandarin-orchard/



3. MAKE YOUR OWN MOONCAKES
The basic ingredients for mooncakes are lard, oil, flour and sugar. Replace lard with peanut or canola oil to reduce the amount of saturated fat, which is converted into “bad” cholesterol after being eaten. Use less sugar or a low-calorie sweetener such as sorbitol. Make healthier filling from mashed sweet potatoes mixed with dried fruits, and baked and unsalted nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fat, which becomes “good” cholesterol.


Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts (Australian walnuts) & Low Sugar
PHOTO: The basic ingredients for mooncakes are lard, oil, flour and sugar. Replace lard with peanut or canola oil to reduce the amount of saturated fat. Use less sugar or a low-calorie sweetener such as sorbitol. Make healthier filling from mashed sweet potatoes mixed with dried fruits, and baked and unsalted nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fat, which becomes “good” cholesterol.
Picture posted by Mark Ong, SPH Digital News on Saturday, 14 September 2013 at 08:15
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWcPW8xqhCrljnK6O22wrlelkVzlw-587H6H8bduey8yM7EB8HjYGIBhntBJ_0LVzUDlOos-yeYIrRYknkjppg8FbwcyBggd6Sm5bD-PWmbTRgS4_8G6FthfShdVJ_7fPHdICCAZr-vs/s1600/delcies%25285%2529.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/sites/default/files/public/gallery/images/delcies%285%29.jpg
http://www.soshiok.com/content/last-minute-mooncakes-healthy-versions-too



Source: Ms Denise Tan, nutritionist at the Centre of Excellence (Nutrition) at the Health Promotion Board; Ms Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietitian at Aptima Nutrition and Sports Consultants; and Mr Derrick Ong, dietitian at Eat Right Nutrition Consultancy



HPB’s five main health pillars of Healthy Lifestyle: get active, eat smart, get appropriate screening tests, think positive and quit smoking.
PHOTO: HPB’s five main health pillars of Healthy Lifestyle: get active, eat smart, get appropriate screening tests, think positive and quit smoking.
Picture posted by Maureen on 7 October 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD9mbxw5NNbcEeGTYDLl0C0yFydVWFT7aAZd2xpOxzKGcuP_sjnSzBRvBQrGtVvftzKVSS2DUm3MIe6XLbm67HQs5sEYUzTTL9idImD9ooFN9VV7A_s5A1VcD12TxRBGu4t1UEpADwkY/s1600/21642337648_a481abcdd1_b-1.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5721/21642337648_a481abcdd1_b.jpg
http://www.misstamchiak.com/healthy-lifestyle-festival-sg/


By Joan Chew, Healthxchange, Thursday, 12 September 2013
Source: Mind Your Body; The Straits Times  © Singapore Press Holdings Limited



Reference