Today, more people are trying to live healthier lives, and sugar substitutes have become popular especially among diabetic patients. Many people know that eating too much sugar can lead to problems like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. So, they look for alternatives to sweeten their food and drinks. But are these sugar substitutes really helpful, or are they just tricks? Let’s explore what sugar substitutes are, clear up some myths, and look at their pros and cons.
Sugar substitutes can be natural or artificial. Natural ones include stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol. Artificial ones include aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. They are made to taste sweet like sugar but with fewer calories or effects on blood sugar.
Sugar substitutes can be helpful for people who want to eat fewer calories or manage diabetes. But healthy people should only use them sometimes, not all the time. Experts like the WHO and FDA say it’s important to stay within safe limits and it is recommended to consume sugar substitutes such as stevia with amount of 4mg/kg body weight per day or equivalent to about 1/4 teaspoon per day. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (KKM) also suggests eating a balanced diet with natural, whole foods instead of too many processed alternatives.
In the end, sugar substitutes are not a perfect solution. They can help in some situations, but it’s better to eat a balanced diet and enjoy sweets in moderation.
Remember, the key to a healthy life is balance and smart choices.
In Malaysia, it’s not compulsory for corporate companies to provide corporate health screening to employees, however it’s encouraged for employers to provide medical benefits or insurances to employees. Providing well-being aid in a corporate setting is an option for employers. Companies are required to allocate a budget for employees’ annual medical check-up aside from pre-employment medical check-up which is mandatory for certain industries. Before deciding on any medical benefits to employees, let’s explore more on the type of corporate health screenings in Malaysia that your company could provide to employees and good news, there is corporate screening that is free for each company. Prioritising employees' health is a part of a company's task and as we know that employee’s well-being is a company's asset, we are here to help you learn more about corporate health screening available in the market.
There are few types of corporate health screening in Malaysia that every company should know if your company really wishes to provide medical benefits to employees. For example:
This HSP was introduced by PERKESO in 2013, offering free health screenings to workers. From this program, companies are able to do early detection of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. However, this program is only eligible for Malaysian workers who are aged 40 to 59 years old. It can only be done once in a lifetime. This health screening arrangement is conducted by the appointed clinics or hospitals. For more information do visit PERKESO website and probably to book your company health screening now!
Click here : https://sehati.perkeso.gov.my/
On-site health screening is made easy to all corporate companies now as they can engage with many corporate medical providers available in the market. Deciding a suitable provider might be a tough decision because it will take a few procedures to complete the medical check-up especially if the company really wants to do it on-site at their office. Few things to be considered before choosing a nearly perfect screening and provider to serve your employees for example, type of health test available, payment method and walk-in accessibility for employees who’s not make it on the health screening day.
Payment method is the crucial variable before choosing your health provider. As we know, different companies have different budgets allocated for medical benefits and some even subscribe to insurance or panel clinics to conduct corporate health screenings. You will have to discuss with your preferred medical provider on what type of screening that your company needs and the suitable corporate health screening arrangements. If you are searching for corporate health screening providers, here is the list:
C) Comprehensive Corporate Health Screening in Hospital
If a company is looking for a more comprehensive health screening package which involves machine test, x-ray and many more. It’s advisable for these companies to opt for hospitals rather than clinics or medical corporate providers. Hospital is more convenient as it has a complete range of machines and numerous tests can be conducted according to your company's needs. For example, a stress test for checking your heart function can only be done in a hospital because it needs treadmills and heart counter machines. Moreover, this test can only be conducted under doctor’s supervision. However, if an employer chooses to perform employees’ health screening in hospital, bear in mind that they might need to schedule an appointment and employees might have to apply for at least half day off to go to hospital. This is one of the disadvantages of conducting corporate health screening in hospitals as it’s different from on-site health screening where the medical provider comes to the office and employees’ is served on the spot. Nevertheless, it all depends on the management and arrangement of companies itself. If you are looking for hospitals that provide corporate health screenings, here is the list:
D) Corporate Vaccination
Corporate vaccination programs might not be popular yet in Malaysia as compared to other countries. However, we believe that this will be a need in the future as there are a significant number of industries that need employees to be vaccinated. For example, in the food and beverages industry, all employees are required to undergo Typhoid Vaccination before they can handle food. Although there is no general law on the mandatory vaccination, employers must play their role to ensure that the safety, health and welfare of all employees are protected as far as reasonably practicable under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA). As for vaccination, it’s available in all general clinics or hospitals but it’s advisable that companies contact them first to book slots or enquire about the vaccine availability.
Providing corporate health screenings to employees is now easier if employers have the right sources. We believe that employees are the company’s greatest asset. It’s found out that healthier employees are more likely to strive in the workplace. As we know, in Malaysia corporate health screenings are not compulsory for every employee but as an employer, taking care of our employees is one step to create a better workplace!
As Malaysians, one thing we are all proud of is our food and beverages! It’s undeniable—Malaysian cuisine was ranked the 39th best in the world according to the 2022 TasteAtlas Awards!
Amazing, right?
The most iconic spot for foodies in Malaysia is our kopitiam. But what exactly is a kopitiam? The word “kopitiam” combines the Malay word kopi, meaning coffee, with the Hokkien word tiam, meaning shop. A direct translation would be "coffee shop".
And let’s not forget—the best part of a kopitiam is the drinks served there. Forget about Americanos or lattes; we have our own unique coffee styles, with slight differences that only Malaysians truly understand. But wait—does everyone know these differences?
Let’s take a quick refresher on the different types of coffee you’ll find in a Malaysian kopitiam!
Kopi, Kopi O, Kopi C: What's the difference?
Kopi is the classic coffee drink most people order at a kopitiam. It’s made with coffee and condensed milk, sometimes with added sugar. Another popular term is kaw- as in Kopi Kaw - which refers to a strong, concentrated coffee. In Hokkien, kaw means “thick” or “strong”.
Kopi C is made with coffee, evaporated milk, and sugar. The key difference between Kopi and Kopi C lies in the type of milk used.
This is similar to kopi C, but kosong (meaning "zero" in Malay) indicates no added sugar. Kopi C Kosong is made with coffee and evaporated milk only.
Kopi O is made with coffee and sugar—no condensed or evaporated milk.
Kopi O Kosong is simply black coffee with no sugar, making it the healthiest option among kopitiam coffee variations.
Picture credit to Malay Mail
Enough about coffee, now let’s discover about Tea choices in Malaysia’s Kopitiam.
Teh Peng, Cham Peng, Kopi Peng: Which is Healthier?
We can say that Malaysians are quite creative with drink combinations. Who would have thought that we could actually combine both coffee and tea together? Not only that, but it has also become one of the most iconic drinks in kopitiams.
Let’s explore the differences between these combinations. Wondering why there’s the word “peng”? The word “peng” means “ice” in Hokkien.
Teh Peng is made with black tea, condensed milk, and sugar. With the word peng, it means "Teh Ice" or "Iced Tea".
Kopi Peng is similar to kopi, made with black coffee, condensed milk, sugar, and additional ice.
This unique flavor combines black tea and coffee with condensed milk and sugar.
We all love to hang out or “lepak” at kopitiams, and there’s no excuse not to enjoy drinks in a healthier way there.
Now that you know the differences between each type of coffee and tea, the deciding factors for how healthy these drinks are lie in the quantity of condensed milk and sugar used. The best option is to replace condensed milk with evaporated milk or reduce the amount of sugar—simply request less sweetness when ordering your drinks.
Last but not least, for those sensitive to caffeine or struggling with poor sleep quality, teh peng is a better option for you! The key is moderation and making mindful choices. Tweak your order a little to make healthier beverage choices.
If you’re interested in more topics like this, don’t forget to reach out to our Vealth.me app assistant. Share your feedback or request more topics—we look forward to hearing from you!
Chinese New Year is just around the corner! It’s a festive season, and soon after CNY, we have Ramadan, followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri! These two big celebrations in Malaysia are quite close together. Malaysians love expressing their affection for family and friends through food. However, overeating during or after festive seasons can lead to health issues.
Since Chinese New Year falls in January, many are still holding on to their New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight or eating healthily—it’s too early to give up, right?
Don’t worry; Vealthme is here to help! We’ve got some healthy eating tips to keep you on track with your resolutions and avoid overindulging this Chinese New Year. The key is moderation, but how do you achieve it?
Here are CONFIRMED-WORK tips to enjoy the festivities while maintaining a balanced approach to eating.
Have a light, balanced snack beforehand
Avoid overeating by having a small, healthy snack before visiting family or friends. For example, enjoy a mandarin orange or a handful of nuts to curb hunger.
Survey the food options
Open houses often feature an array of tempting dishes. Prioritize your favorites and skip sampling everything. If you want to try a variety, take small bites.
Focus on quality over quantity
Savor a few bites of indulgent dishes instead of piling your plate high. Avoid being “greedy” to prevent overeating.
Don’t forget your veggies
Vegetables are high in fiber and low in calories, making them a great option to fill your plate first. Add creative options like stir-fried broccoli, mushrooms, or a veggie platter yee sang.
Track your sugary desserts
Desserts like nian gao and kuih kapit are festive staples. Limit yourself to 1-2 pieces to save room for other treats.
Portion out popular snacks
Snacks like pineapple tarts or bak kwa can be easy to overeat while chatting. Portion out 2-3 pieces at a time to avoid mindless munching.
Eat slowly to savor each bite
Eating slowly improves digestion and nutrient absorption while helping regulate appetite. It also gives your body time to signal when you’re full.
Incorporate more fruits and whole grains
After the festivities, balance out the sweets with a variety of fruits and whole grains.
Plan ahead for exercise
Light activities like walking or yoga can help you rebalance your routine and burn off those extra calories.
Stay Smart, Eat Mindfully This Snake Year and lither into Healthier Choices this CNY 2025!
OH Cards can be a great addition to a corporate wellness program. The cards are a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of ways to promote mental health and well-being among employees.
Here are a few reasons why OH Cards can be beneficial in a corporate wellness program:
OH Cards are designed to stimulate creativity and intuition, which can help employees to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. This can be particularly valuable in the workplace, where employees may be faced with complex challenges that require creative thinking.
OH Cards can be used to promote relaxation and mindfulness, which can help employees to reduce stress levels. By encouraging employees to take a break from their work and engage in a calming activity, OH Cards can help to promote a more positive and productive work environment.
OH Cards can be used to help employees reflect on their personal goals, values, and strengths. This can help employees gain insight into themselves and their aspirations, which can in turn help them to make more informed decisions about their career and personal life.
OH Cards can be used in group activities, which can help to promote connection and collaboration among employees. By working together on a creative project, employees can build relationships and develop a sense of community.
Overall, OH Cards can be a valuable tool in a corporate wellness program. They are a flexible and engaging way to promote mental health and well-being among employees, and they can help to create a more positive and productive work environment.
OH Cards, also known as Open Heart Cards, are a tool that can be used to reduce stress in the workplace. These cards are designed to stimulate creativity and intuition, and they can be used in a variety of ways to promote wellbeing and reduce stress levels among employees.
Do you know that? OH Cards can reduce stress in the workplace by promoting mindfulness. Mindfulness is a technique that helps individuals focus on the present moment and reduce distracting thoughts. OH Cards can be used to promote mindfulness by encouraging employees to focus on the images and words on the cards. By engaging in this calming activity, employees can reduce stress levels and feel more centered.
OH Cards can also reduce stress by encouraging relaxation. Employees can use the cards to engage in a calming activity, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, which can help them to relax and reduce stress levels. This can be particularly beneficial for employees who are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
In addition to promoting mindfulness and relaxation, OH Cards can reduce stress in the workplace by enhancing creativity. By engaging in a creative activity, such as creating a vision board or collage using the cards, employees can take a break from their work and engage in a fun and engaging activity. This can help employees to reduce stress levels and feel more energized and motivated.
Finally, OH Cards can reduce stress by providing a break from work. By taking a break and engaging in a different activity, employees can clear their minds and reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress. This can help employees to feel more refreshed and focused when they return to their work.
Implementing OH Cards in the workplace can be a simple and effective way to promote wellbeing and reduce stress levels among employees. OH Cards can be used in group activities, such as team building exercises or brainstorming sessions, or they can be used individually as a way for employees to take a break and engage in a calming activity.
One way to implement OH Cards in the workplace is to provide them as part of a wellness program. By incorporating OH Cards into a larger wellness program, employers can provide employees with a variety of tools and resources to help them manage stress and promote wellbeing. This can include activities such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and other stress-reducing activities.
Another way to implement OH Cards in the workplace is to encourage employees to use them on their own. Employers can provide OH Cards to employees and encourage them to use them as a way to take a break and engage in a calming activity when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
In short, OH Cards are a valuable tool for reducing stress in the workplace. By promoting mindfulness, relaxation, creativity, and providing a break from work, OH Cards can help employees to feel more centered and reduce stress levels. Employers can implement OH Cards in the workplace as part of a larger wellness program, or encourage employees to use them on their own. By promoting the use of OH Cards, employers can create a more positive and productive work environment that supports employee wellbeing.
If you want to know more about OH Cards, do contact us now for more details!
