Keto Diet in Singapore – How to Get LCHF on a Financial Budget

​Many Singaporeans are terrified of the idea of a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. You should be ready for criticism if you reveal that you are on this diet.

The second most difficult thing about the keto diet in Singapore is dealing with concerns-trolling relatives/colleagues.

Going to LCHF on a tight budget is the most difficult thing. For a month, swap your $3 char-kway teow with $15 protein bowls from that trendy CBD salad restaurant. You’ll feel lean in many ways.

Regardless of your motivations, the following are some ways you can follow an LCHF diet without breaking the bank.

What Exactly Is an LCHF/keto Diet, You Ask? What’s the Point of an LCHF/Keto Diet?

Low-carb, high-fat diets restrict the number of carbohydrates that you consume. This includes sweets, staples such as rice, noodles, bread, starchy vegetables, and most fruits.

The diet includes more fat to prevent you from becoming a hungrier monster. Natural “good fats” such as butter, avocado, olive oil, and nuts are ideal. This is said to keep you satisfied longer.

You can put your body into ketosis by consuming fewer carbs than you need every day. This is when your body burns fat for energy and not breaks down carbohydrates. This requires that you actually count your carbs.

Even if you don’t reach ketosis, a restrictive diet such as this can help to reduce your daily calorie intake. Carbohydrates are a major source of calories in the traditional Singaporean diet that includes rice, bread, noodles, and more rice.

This diet is popular for people who want to lose weight or fat. However, it can also be used to treat diabetes and other conditions that require a reduction in carbs.

What and Where Can You Eat on a Singapore Keto Diet?

Eating healthy in Singapore can be expensive, regardless of whether you are on a diet. Here’s a list of all the options for keto-friendly eating in Singapore.

Meal preparation: Making your own meals is the best choice. It’s affordable, and healthy, and you have complete control over the ingredients. This is especially important if your carb count is high. It is time-consuming, however. You can also be a social outcast because Singaporeans tend to associate eating with socializing.

Hawker food: Most Singaporeans are comfortable eating at the hawker center or Kopitiam. Unfortunately, your options for hawker food are severely limited if you eat low-carb. Say goodbye to laksa and wanton mee, nasi Biryani, roti patrata, and all carb-based dishes that make life worthwhile. In a later section, I will discuss the hawker foods you can adapt to suit your diet.

Dining out: You have a wider range of healthy options to choose from, including more affordable, fast food and more expensive atas salad restaurants. Your budget will have to grow if you eat out at restaurants regularly.

Meal subscriptions: This is a great option if you have the funds. Although these are more expensive, you will have greater control over the nutrition of each meal if you count your calories and carbs.

Meal Preparation for the ​Keto Diet in Singapore

If you cook Asian-style dishes (rice, soup, curry, and a few other dishes), cooking at home can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly.

Western-style meal preparation makes things easier. It is as simple as spending a few hours each weekend cooking and freezing your meals for the week. It is important to use minimal ingredients (so that you can make the same meals again) and low-effort cooking methods (such as baking or steaming).

Here is a list of ingredients that are LCHF-friendly and where they can be purchased in Singapore.

Keto Options in Hawker Centers in Singapore

You can eat LCHF at hawker centers. However, it is more common to have thick skin and ask for special order.

You can’t go to a wanton mee stall without asking for noodles. It’s likely you will end up with three dumplings and a handful of leaves. You can find stalls that offer low-carb meals, which are usually quite filling and provide a variety of delicious meals.

Even if you don’t eat noodles/rice, hawker food can be quite unhealthy. These foods can be very greasy and refined cooking oils are not considered to be healthy fat. Hidden carbs include sauces (often sweetened, even though they taste good) and breaded fried foods.

For most of these dishes, you can expect to pay $4-$5 per person. You might need to order additional dishes or ingredients to fill your stomach.

Singapore Offers Keto Dining Options

There are many options for keto-friendly fast food and chain restaurants that offer air conditioning. Most of these restaurants offer a satisfying meal or snack for as low as $10.

There are also salad bars and health food eateries, which are popular choices for dieters. However, these restaurants charge far too much for very little lettuce.

Subscription to ​Keto-friendly Meals in Singapore

What if you are unable to prepare your own meals and don’t have any diet-friendly options?

Healthy meal subscriptions are another option. Keto Catering is one of the few providers currently in Singapore that offers specialized LCHF meals. However, most other services allow you to select low-carb options.