Meet kids' protein needs without expensive foods
Families can meet children’s protein needs without relying on costly foods by using affordable local ingredients, nutritionists said on Wednesday.
Source: ANTARA News · August 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 26 AUGUST 2026 —
Malaysian families urged to diversify protein sources for children without overspending
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KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26): Malaysian families can meet their children’s protein needs without relying on expensive foods by diversifying affordable local sources, nutrition experts said. Speaking at a Jakarta forum on Tuesday, nutritionist Tara Mutiara Ramdani stressed that balanced and varied diets are key to ensuring children’s nutritional needs are met within budget constraints.
She highlighted that protein can be sourced from a range of locally available foods, allowing families to adjust meal plans according to their financial capacity. “A healthy diet requires balanced, complete, and varied nutrition,” Tara said during the event titled Budget Boleh Minimal, Nutrisi Harus Tetap Optimal. She added that parents should be mindful of nutritional literacy to make informed food choices for their children.
Meanwhile, I Dewa Gede Karma Wisana, head of the Demography Institute at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Economics and Business, noted that household food choices directly impact overall dietary quality. He emphasized the need for families to prioritize nutrient-rich foods to ensure all members, especially children, receive adequate nutrition.
Experts stressed that educating parents on protein and other essential nutrients is for supporting children’s growth and development. By incorporating diverse, budget-friendly protein sources into meals, families can maintain nutritional balance without overspending.
Details not yet available on specific local alternatives recommended for Malaysian households.