Indonesian Food.

Based in Bali Indonesia we love Indonesian food, however having lived here and eaten the food available on offer in most locations we have now chosen to offer people our own alternatives to compliment what is already available. Traditionally Indonesians in a developing nation had a very different diet than most local people experience now. For example people would live naturally in small campungs, literally living off the land. Young coconuts were available in abundance. Drinking these young coconuts is high in electrolytes and minerals which are great for the body. Carbohydrates and proteins were received from a low fat diet. The fish, chickens, eggs and beef were all free range, these proteins were combined at each meal with locally grown vegetables and served with boiled white rice. This diet eaten daily is healthy and lean, low in calories and high in protein. Sugar in the diet was obtained as fructose from fresh fruit and these fruit sugars when eaten as whole fruit are full of fiber, trace elements and minerals. Bali was once abundant in fresh papayas, bananas, salak, mangoes, pineapples, melons and many of the other exotic and unique tropical fruits that grow profoundly here.

Changing Bali, However as a fast developing tourist location Bali has changed significantly in its food chain. Farming land has been replaced with concrete villas and hotels, Campungs replace with Kos living. Very few coconut trees are left in the densely populated tourist areas of the island. People are no longer living in small campungs. People living here, the visitors and expatriate community now have a much wider choice of food.

However many of the traditional local foods are no longer prepared or sourced the traditional way and unfortunately most are not as healthy as before. There is also a growing amount of global fast food chain stores that are opening accross the island. This is giving local people and visitors extra unhealthy food choices. Now daily diets on the Island consist of burgers, pizzas, deep fried chicken, french fries, donuts, cakes and pastries. Full of processed ingredients, high in sugar, salt and saturated fats. These foods on offer are also low in fibre, have very few vitamins, minerals and enzymes remaining. As a result the new Balinese diet is creating children and adults with obesity problems, diabetes and many of the diet related issues already a problem in developed nations where the fast food chains originated from.

Lets take a quick look at what is available on the streets of Bali today,

Goreng is a popular choice on the treets of Bali, once the high fat content of deep fried tofu, vegetables, tempe and even bananas was necessary to provide hungry locals with the extra calories they needed when working physically, walking the land with buffaloes and working the rice paddies. Now it has become a high calorie, artery clogging , high cholesterol part of Indonesian tradition. It is putting a layer of extra fat on many local people now living in Bali. Daily transport is now with car and motorbikes instead of using our feet to travel from A to B. Jobs have changed and the tourist industry means many people are no longer physically active as they once were, so these extra goreng calories are not needed especially for those who now work in shops and offices.

Nasi Goreng the popular national dish consists of white rice, fried in oil with very little vegetables and lean meat full of manufactured processed sauces that that are full of unnatural flavorings chemicals and artificial additives.

Nasi Campur and Padang food. Nearly every local warung prepares these dishes with high amounts of “Aginomoto” MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate) in every dish. This artificial flavour is a chemical additive that has been thoroughly researched to be one of the most toxic substances for the human body, however in Indonesian local food, MSG is very difficult to avoid. It is found in nearly all sauces and vegetable and meat curry dishes. Even when avoided the fish and chicken in Padang food once deep fried is left to sit for hours with many of the essential nutrients, enzymes and proteins almost completely destroyed.

“Tidak Gula Tidak Susu!”

Locally prepared drinks and fruit juices in most warungs all contain added sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk in very large amounts. One of the first phrases many visitors learn in Indonesia having tasted these juices is “tidak gula, tidak susu” No sugar, no milk” However because the juices are usually inexpensive the more expensive fruits and fruit flavors are substituted with these cheaper products.

Cafe Moonlight Bali Juices

Our Juices are made from the freshest fruits, herbs, roots and ingredients, with no added sugar or condensed milk. They are still full of vitamins and minerals in recipes perfectly blended to meet your different daily needs and personal taste requirements. Whether you need a boost to your immune system, a detox or an energising juice we are sure we will have a juice that you will love.