Overeating ...

Its another one of those trips to a buffet dinner, this time round we visited York Hotel's White Rose Cafe where authentic Penang hawker fare can be found in the heart of Orchard Road.

Penang Laksa, Char Kway Teow, Rojak , Oyster omelettes and many more savoury dishes whipped out by famous hawkers flown in from the popular Malaysian town of Penang. Penang, a state in Malaysia popular for its food fare and Peranakan heritage is often visited not so much for its sight but for its local cuisines of various mixtures of Chinese, Malay and Indian flavours.

A long queue was spotted despite our early arrival at 6.30pm. Considering it rather early for a week day but nevertheless, Singaporeans hunger for a delicious meal after a hard day's work moreover, this Penang hawker fare happens only twice or three times a year. I guess its that deep longing feel that builds appetites in Singaporeans and make them hungry for more.

Scattered in various locations of the cafe, mini queues were formed. People patiently waited behind one another , courteous and friendly, a total contrast from my previous encounter at the Rendezvous hotel. I guess I have to applaud the hotel for preparing little notices telling people that each person was entitled to only 2 plates per queue, nothing more. This somehow assured patrons that there was enough to satisfy everyone with huge appetites.

I came across this unusual sign that read ' Like all great dishes, this popular treat is best savoured in moderation to avoid any discomfort after '. Marvellous, hotels are even taking that extra step in helping people curb weight problems and binge eating or was it a diplomatic reminder not to waste food.

I remembered when buffet was first introduced in Singapore I was only 8 years old. I had this tendency to take more than I could finish at and after the meal, I would place the unfinished food on a plate and sneaked it back into the buffet spread - an ugly sight indeed. As I grow older (and wiser) , I often take food in smaller portions and in moderation.

That sign might have saved a couple of lives especially for those who have the tendency to eat massive amounts of their favourite food and forget that overeating is an unhealthy habit. How often do we find ourselve rubbing our stomachs and complaining that we cannot move due to the overfilled tummy. Let's face it, it happens most of the time we enter a buffet. Perhaps its the mindset Singaporeans have that buffets are meant for filling the stomach and that we should skip all other meals prior to entering a buffet restaurant.

I guess such life saving signs like the one in the photo should be placed at the main entrance of every buffet outlet so that people can achieve two things :

1) not to waste food
2) watch that diet and not overeat

This way we can educate healthy living, healthy lifestyle in Singaporeans and bring down the percentage of obesity in our children. So the next time before you reach for that extra piece of beef steak, ask yourself if you have space for more in your stomach and not just fill that empty space on your plate.