I am delighted to learn that Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has introduced a new menu item for us Malaysians – not just any new item, but one that FINALLY gives a healthier option for us chicken lovers out there. I’m talking about the KFC Flava’ Roast! When I say healthier, I am referring to the fact that there is less oil used to prepare the food, and less oil absorbed/hidden in that chicken piece! (Fried batter can hold A LOT of oil).
I hope that this is here to stay – knowing us Malaysians, it is going to be hard to accept that there is a healthier option – most will still go for the fattier fried chicken. I also believe that many years ago, both KFC and McDonald’s attempted to bring in a healthier menu – but the response was so poor that they eventually took it off the menu.
Did you know the McDonald’s menu at the United States have the following items:
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
A variety of salads (I counted 10 in their menu)
Options for Low-fat Italian dressing/Balsamic Vinaigrette
Reduced Fat Ice Cream!!!
Baked Apple Pie (not fried!)
1% Low Fat Milk (they even have it in choc milk)
Iced Coffee with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener to sweeten your coffee
My personal preference when it comes to fast food right now, is still McDonald’s though. There’s just something about having a big hearty burger. Of course, everything in moderation. :)
But you know.. it looks like for now, we can only DREAM to have the healthy options above on our shores. And even if they DO make an ‘appearance’… we then have to hope there is a demand for it so that it becomes a permanent menu item.
Sad eh?
Anyways, back to the Flava’ Roast! I have yet to try it – but I certainly plan to sometime this week.
Quick tip: Chicken wings have quite a high amount of fat in them when compared to other pieces (plenty of skin). Also, if you plan on removing the skin (which you should!), it is much harder to get it off from a wing piece. So, I recommend having some other piece.
Congratulations KFC – you get two thumbs up from me. Any of you guys tried it yet? Do share!
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This post was written by...
Noel Chelliah, ACE-CPT, ACE-LWMC, has been recognized as one of the Top Transformation Experts in Malaysia. No stranger to being overweight himself, Noel has gone through a life-changing transformation himself, from fat, to fit. In 2010, Noel founded the DailyMuscle Body Transformation Camp, which today helps hundreds of individuals exercise and practice healthier habits. In his spare time, Noel serves the community with various programs that promote a healthier lifestyle, and enjoys playing with his dogs.
My name is Noel Chelliah, and I’m a Transformation Specialist and founder of the 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I do noticed the healthier options in the US menus of McD..I used to choose only Grilled Chicken Foldover when I eat there here but now they’ve taken it off the shelves! Sadly this current healthy choice of KFC is not available nationwide..so far there’s nothing I dare to eat there. I think Malaysians still are very far from being a healthy nation..people are so proud of all the fattening ingredients that they claim so tasty. My hubby even frowned at the idea of taking off the chicken skin even at home (which I still do anyway when I cook); and he proudly said fat tastes heavenly! Oh man..
Actually, there is ONE fast food outlet out there that offers a healthier menu. And that is Subway sandwiches. You can pick and choose what you want in your sandwich and skip the unhealthy bits (eg. mayonnaise and other evil but delicious stuff).
But of course, there aren’t many Subway outlets and it is a tad expensive. But I like the fact that they give generous helpings.
And what about the IKEA cafe? It seems to me their menu is pretty decent too.
Anyway, I just wish we have the local street vendors dishing out healthy food. The ‘healthiest’ Malaysian food I can think of is chicken rice.
i dont know if its just me but i can not, absolutely can not bring myself to walk into a kfc outlet anymore. I have not eaten kfc for over a year i think. When ever i walk pass a kfc outlet, i imediately feel like puking. I realyl dont know why.
If im craving for chicken id rahter go down to the mamak or the nasi lemak guy and get some proper fried chicken.
:)
tell me, how in the world chicken wings can be healthy, be it steamed, boiled…i hear you.
as for subway…err…i beg to differ…it appears healthy, but essentially, it’s not (too much processed meat???)
No fast food IS healthy. Transfat aplenty.
Hey it rhymes.
Not bad….at least i can have a nice tasty cheat meal when I am back in Malaysia. Any of you guys got any info about the nutritional facts?
Anyway subway is a much better option compared to other fast food outlet coz you can choose what goes into the sandwich. Well if you dont like processed meat dont choose the salami just choose the proper chicken. Here in the UK we have teriyaki chicken which is normal chicken not processed.
Cheers
Carls Jr is the way to go for me :) portions are ginormous! :Þ. Um is it healthy , don’t know but i just gotta have it… since i’ve had Carls Jr, Mc D, and Burger King is out of my menu eheheh… unfortunately read in a mens-health online its one of the less healthier fast food, in their survey of the US fast food chain… :(
Personally I think McDonalds is better than KFC. From my experience after I finished a KFC meal, I feel that my stomach don’t really like the food, and the next day morning, there will be some toxic discharge in my tongue area. When I take McDonalds, the same effect is much lesser compared to KFC.
After all, fast food is always not healthy (although the smell and taste is very tempting). Everytime, I walk pass KFC or McDonalds, I tempted to walk in because of the smell, but when I think of the bad health effect those fast foods, I will go for other options.
Hey guys – I had a very horrible experience a couple of days ago when I went to try the Flava’ Roast. I returned the meal to the cashier for a refund. Will update you guys soon…