January-February. 2026 | The HEALTH
COLUMN
23 nations, like Malaysia, to examine their own dietary foundations through the lens of local science and supply.
MALAYSIAN PERSPECTIVE
While the US model is built on an " inverted " logic, Malaysian nutritionists advocate for the 2020 Malaysian Food Pyramid as a more scientifically balanced alternative for the local context. This 2020 revision fundamentally shifted the foundation by moving fruits and vegetables to the base, while moving carbohydrates to the second level to emphasise reduced consumption.
Experts argue that Malaysians should adhere to this locally-tailored model rather than adopt the US inversion, as the Malaysian pyramid is specifically designed to account for regional food supply, costs, and cultural eating patterns. The Malaysian approach focuses on reducing refined grains while elevating the prominence of fibrerich plant foods( Zainuddin, 2026).
Rather than flipping the entire structure, the Malaysian model uses the " Suku Suku Separuh "( Quarter Quarter Half) method to achieve metabolic balance within a rice-centric culture. This approach involves filling one-quarter of the plate with carbohydrates, one-quarter with protein, and the remaining half with fruits and vegetables. The goal is not to eliminate staples like rice, but to rebalance the plate so that fibre and protein take the lead. This practical shift serves as a bridge between modern nutritional science and long-standing cultural values.
MEANING OF FOOD
This global movement toward whole, natural foods highlights a principle that transcends modern science: the importance of mindful eating. In Malaysia, the nutritional flip and the " Suku Suku Separuh " method resonate deeply with the spiritual concept of balance. This is reflected in the Qur’ anic injunction:
“ O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.”( Quran, Al-A ' raf, 7:31).
While this verse is rooted in Islamic teaching, its message of moderation and Toyyib( wholesomeness) provides a timeless foundation that both the 2026 US guidelines and the Malaysian model happen to align with. Whether we call it metabolic health or spiritual balance, the conclusion is the same: the quality of what we consume determines the quality of our lives.
LOOKING FORWARD, MINDFULLY
The evolving food pyramid is more than a change in graphics; it is a call to rethink our relationship with convenience. This global dialogue suggests that while specific structures may differ, the universal goal is to achieve physical and spiritual balance through mindful consumption.
For Malaysia, this rethink is timely as healthcare systems face increasing pressure from chronic, diet-related diseases. Ultimately, the true path to health may not just involve flipping the food groups on a poster but flipping our perspective. It is a transition from autopilot eating to an awareness fuelled by wisdom, gratitude, and care.- The HEALTH