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@ Halal | november-december . 2020

There are many types of dietary practices such as the vegan and vegetarian diet , Paleo diet , keto diet , Okinawa diet and Mediterranean diet , to name a few . These diets have different characteristics , and not all are healthy .

People ’ s dietary choices are often affected by a variety of factors , including ethical and religious beliefs , clinical needs , or a desire to control weight . Since dietary practice is a significant component in a lifestyle , the choice of diet is essential to maintain a good state of health and well-being .

Notably , the Okinawa diet and Mediterranean diet are highly-regarded for their positive impacts on health and well-being .

The Okinawa diet refers to the traditional eating patterns of the people living on the Japanese island of Okinawa . Their unique diet and lifestyle are credited with giving them some of the longest lifespans on the planet .

Meanwhile , a Mediterranean diet incorporates the traditional healthy living habits of people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea . The effects of the Mediterranean diet on health and well-being has been long corroborated by scientific evidence , rendering it to be one of the most characterised and well-defined diets .

For instance , the Mediterranean diet pyramid has been developed to guide people to observe the diet as part of the lifestyle ( Bach-Faig , 2011 ).

In comparison , the effects of halalan toyyiban dietary practice on health and well-being have not been sufficiently substantiated by

By Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim

and

Anis Najiha Ahmad

International Institute for Halal Research and Training ( INHART ), International Islamic University Malaysia scientific evidence . This has in part hampered its presence in the mainstream dietary landscape , despite the great potential of the holistic halalan toyibban dietary practice in the provision of good health and well-being .

Diet and disease prevention – the existing policies and action plans

Chronic poor health is caused , in part , by the lifestyle one subscribes to . Diet , is a significant and integral part of lifestyle has been linked to many types of diseases , particularly the non-communicable diseases ( NCD ) such as cardiovascular diseases , cancers , chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes .

More than 36 million die annually from NCDs ( 63 per cent of global deaths ), including 14 million people who die too young before the age of 70 ( WHO , 2013 ). This premature death could have been prevented by adherence to a healthy diet and lifestyle .

The high incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases also translate to a loss of productivity among the working-age population and contribute to high healthcare cost of a nation .

Responding to this global predicament , WHO initiated a Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-2020 ( WHO , 2013 ).

Malaysia has actively been involved in the WHO global action plan and has since adopted into the country ’ s strategies to address the nutritional deficiencies and diet-related NCDs .

This is evident through the establishment of National Nutritional Policy of Malaysia ( 2003 ), 2016-2025 National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia ( NPANM ) III ( MOH , 2016a ) and 2016-2025 National Strategic Plan for Non-communicable Disease , NSP-NCD ,

( MOH , 2016b ).

These approaches include diverse enabling strategies , with clear measures and indicators . A commendable initiative by the Ministry of Health ( Malaysia ), the Healthier Choice Logo ( HCL ) was launched in 2017 .

It aims to motivate industries to reformulate food products and assist the consumers in making the right food choices , leading to a healthier diet . Until February 2019 , there are a cumulative of 370 products that have obtained HCL logo ( MOH , 2019 ).

The existing policies do not specifically subscribe to one type of diet ; instead , it promotes and offers diverse choices for one to stay healthy and prevent chronic diseases .

As such , halalan toyibban could be one of the options and thus further support and complement the existing policies . Significantly , the halalan toyibban diet fits in the enabling strategy of NAPNM III “ Promoting healthy eating and active living ”.

This is also in line with the overarching principle of the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non- Communicable Diseases 2013-2020 where the goals of reducing the NCDs could be achieved through the empowerment of people and communities , evidence-based strategies and multisectoral actions , among others .

Choosing a halalan toyyiban lifestyle means choosing a universally-accepted lifestyle that promotes the maintenance of health and well-being at the individual and community level , in line with maqasid al-shari ’ ah ( the higher objectives of the shari ’ ah ), specially , but not limited to , the protection , development and enhancement of religion ( as way of life ), life and the intellect .

One can argue that halalan toyibban diet is a faith-based diet , but indeed it is for the whole humanity to subscribe , as stated in the Qur ’ an .

“ O mankind , eat from whatever is on earth [ that is ] HALALan TOYYIBan ( lawful and good ) and do not follow the footsteps of Satan . Indeed , he is to you a clear enemy .”

[ Qur ’ an 2:168 ]

Proper implementation of the halalan toyyiban in food and beverages globally will also support sustainable development goals ( SDGs ) enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by United Nations member states , specifically in facilitating to accomplish zero hunger ( Goal 2 ), good health and well-being for people ( Goal 3 ) and responsible consumption and production ( Goal 12 ).

As prevention is always better than cure , when one understands and embrace a healthy diet , in this case , the proposed halalan toyyiban diet , the ripple effect and impact on building a resilient , healthy nation prepared to face any unprecedented future becomes realistic and attainable .

Halalan toyyiban for resilient health and well-being of a nation

Taking lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic , the majority of Covid-19 deaths are those with chronic diseases . In Malaysia , the statistics have shown that around 32 per cent of deaths from Covid-19 has a history of chronic diseases such as hypertension , heart disease , diabetes and kidney disease ( statistics collated from Press Statements , MOH Malaysia Updates on COVID-19 until 21 / 04 / 2020 ).

Indeed , the pandemic of Covid-19 scale is unprecedented and has put a constraint on the global health system including in Malaysia . Understanding , appreciating and subscribing to the wholesome halalan toyyiban dietary practice is a cost-effective way to support the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being .

This shall help recuperate the already constraint health care services post Covid-19 , and in the long term , shall establish a healthy and resilient nation .