MEENA SREENIVASAN
meena@nstp.com.my

Chef Wan talks to MEENA SREENIVASAN about being an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation

AS National Kidney Foundation (NKF)’s newly appointed ambassador, Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, is quite intent and committed in creating awareness and educating people on the food they consume, its repercussions and kidney disease.
“You are what you eat and according to statistics, in Malaysia, there is an alarming rise in kidney disease.

To have a society that is gemuk (fat) isn’t good for our country.

Not only do they become unproductive, but they get diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure which affect their kidneys,” he remarks.
A household name in Malaysia, Chef Wan, also known as “Food Ambassador of Malaysia”, has presented and hosted several TV cooking programmes in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Australia, wooing audiences with his wit and humour while demonstrating his cooking prowess.

As NKF ambassador
Chef Wan feels more needs to be done to increase the awareness and public understanding of kidney disease and its consequences.

As a chef, he is without doubt the best person to carry this message across to the public and teach them the nutritious value of food.
Although his is a voluntary position, he also aims to raise funds for the NKF through a number of projects.

“My biggest task as NKF’s ambassador is to change people’s eating habits and educate them on how to eat healthy to prevent kidney disease.
“You must understand that when you eat rubbish, your whole system falls apart.

A balanced diet is very essential and we must eat according to our age and lifestyle,” he says.
In his capacity as NKF ambassador, Chef Wan is planning to do a cooking series called “You are what you eat”, within the next couple of months with the Health Ministry.

Also in the pipeline is a cookbook on health and wellbeing, the funds from which will be channeled to the NKF.

“What I am trying to achieve here is to help the public better understand their current eating habits.

They can’t go on eating the way they do now or it will lead to diabetes and eventually kidney disease.

Talking about the right food components, a balanced diet, health and nutrition will drive home the point.

“For my cookbook, I am going to develop simple recipes so people will be able to whip up healthy dishes in a jiffy.

Take an avocado, for example.

You can use it to develop many simple recipes like avocado salad with chicken, as a sandwich spread or sauce.”
For his cooking series, there will be one segment called “Meals in a Minute”, which will show how to whip up a meal in minutes, and how to use an ingredient, fruit or vegetable in different concepts.

Chef Wan will also go on NKF roadshows to places like Bandar Utama, Penang and Kota Baru.
“These roadshows will teach people how to care for their kidneys by eating healthy,” he says.

Heartbreaking experience
Chef Wan remembers how his father suffered from diabetes and, as a result, lost a leg.
“My dad had diabetes and had his leg amputated.

I feel he could have avoided it if he had taken care of his diet.

Every morning, he had the same routine.

He would go to the kedai kopi (coffee shop) nearby, order his roti canai or nasi lemak and have his teh tarik or kopi tarik.

This unhealthy habit took its toll over the years and now he is without a leg.

We can avoid such a fate if we take care of our food intake,” he adds.

Favourite food and drink
A person who loves pasta, especially Arabiata or Puttanesca, Chef Wan also enjoys soup.

He tries as much as possible to have a variety of coloured food and more greens in his diet.

His favourite local food is Assam Pedas and Sambal Udang Petai.
“There is nothing like a tall glass of carrot and apple juice to jump-start my day.

It’s a great anti-oxidant.

I don’t buy fruits by the kilos.

I buy them in boxes.

I like petai as well.

It helps remove gas and is excellent for diabetes.

It cuts down your sugar level.”

Pet peeves
He detests hypocrites and parents who feed their children fast food and junk food.
“When families eat out, parents can always opt for something that is nutritious.

Instead of a beef burger and french fries, you can order a salad, a minestrone soup or spaghetti with meatballs.

Learn to be food-savvy because in the long run, your children are going to end up with a host of diseases.

To him, it’s unnerving how Malaysians have the habit of loading their table with dishes.

While they obviously can’t finish the food, they say it’s a sin to waste and then force themselves to down everything.

It is unnecessary to eat for the sake of eating.
“I also dislike it when people criticise our local food.

For instance, they say Malaysian dishes have too much santan or coconut milk and that it’s unhealthy.

Well, you can always substitute it with low fat milk.

There are lots of choices and you have to take charge of yourself if you want a clean bill of health.”

Art of de-stressing
Chef Wan loves gardening.

He has a beautiful country home with a flourishing one-acre garden, which is home to 13 varieties of local herbs as well as an assortment of plants.
He goes to the gym regularly and loves taking brisk walks and jogging, especially in the parks.

When he is travelling abroad, he makes it a point to swim a few laps in the hotel pool.

On eating
Chef Wan conceives that our society needs to be taught to eat healthy.
“Life is about the choices they make, especially what we eat and drink.

Why can’t you opt for a fresh fruit juice instead of an overly-sweet teh tarik? Eat more fibre, vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes and clean food.

Legumes and lentils absorb sugar in your system”.

On staying healthy
Exercising, eating right and leading a healthy lifestyle is what Chef Wan advocates.

When you eat the wrong food, it is much like putting poison into your system.
“When you have toxins in your system, your kidneys will suffer.

It is important to save your kidneys from Day One.
“Life is all about balance.

When you go overboard with anything you do, be it drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, you are damaging your kidneys in the process.

Learn to love yourself.”
He adds that one has to account for every spoonful of sugar one consumes and it is harmful when you don’t burn the calories.

On detox
He says there are many ways to detox.
“You don’t have to go far.

Even carrots, celery and beetroot are great kidney food.

I give my thumbs-up for any type of fibre like oatmeal or wheatgerm.”

His mantra
To be able to give.
“When I give, I feel blessed.

I am thankful and grateful for what I have.

When you learn not to compete with others, you are happy.

When you are happy, it brings tranquillity and serenity into your life.”