7 best shops for healthier food in Singapore

The clean-eating movement shows no signs of abating. According to Statista, a German online portal for statistics, the global health and wellness foods market is expected to be worth US$811.82 billion in 2021, up from US$707.12 billion in 2016. The trend has certainly taken off in Singapore, with numerous online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores purveying a wide array of health foods.

With their high-quality yet tasty products, these stores demonstrate that healthier eating doesn’t have to be boring. Here are seven places – online and offline – where you can stock up on everything from whole foods to organic produce and virtuous snacks.

The Honey Colony specialises in anti-microbial honey types such as jarrah, red gum and leatherwood

1. Honey

Honey doesn’t just taste good – it’s big on health benefits, too. For starters, the golden liquid is chock-full of antioxidants, which help protect your body from cell damage caused by free radicals. It also soothes sore throats (hence the popularity of honey lemon remedies) and heals wounds, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The Honey Colony is a family-run online business that gets its honey from Australia. Its products are 100% unprocessed and cold-extracted to preserve their goodness. In particular, it specialises in jarrah, red gum and leatherwood honeys, which are known for their healing properties.

2. Whole foods

Aussie retailer The Source Bulk Foods, which has over 50 stores Down Under, landed on Singapore’s shores in Cluny Court back in 2019. Now, they have outlets at Great World City and Chevron House too. On offer are hundreds of whole foods, from nuts and pulses to grains and pastas. You’ll also find healthy snacks and confectionery, such as raw chocolates and trail mix.

What’s more, everything is sold in bulk and sans packaging; customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable containers and load up on as much (or as little) as they need. It’s a win for both your health and the environment.

Peri Peri water lily pops that are made from roasted water lily seeds

3. Healthy snacks

Hankering for something crunchy? Zenko Superfoods specialises in water lily pops, which it describes as “like popcorn, but better”. These moreish snacks are made from roasted water lily seeds – a superfood packed with plant-based protein, antioxidants and amino acids.

The brand’s water lily pops come in flavours such as Himalayan Pink Salt, Spicy, Original, Cheddar Cheese and Coconut, are Halal, plant-based and do not contain any artificial ingredients. What’s more, they purportedly contain 67% less fat and 20% fewer calories than popcorn, making them the perfect healthy snack for Netflix binges. Find them online or in supermarkets such as FairPrice Finest and cafes such as Cedele.

4. Jerky

As moisture and fat are removed from the meat during the preparation process, jerky is a good source of protein and rich in vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and folate. Snack Guru‘s range of handcrafted, artisan jerky from the United States keeps the munchies at bay while introducing a range of different meats infused with intriguing flavours. Some of the more unique offerings include garlic jalapeño pork belly jerky, lemon pepper chicken jerky, chipotle lime beef jerky and rosemary citrus turkey jerky.

Meaty and flavourful, the snacks are low in sodium, high in protein and contain no preservatives, artificial ingredients and MSG; meaning they make for perfect guilt-free snacking.

The Brown Rice Specialist has found creative ways to incorporate brown rice into other products, such as tea

5. Brown rice products

As its name suggests, The Brown Rice Specialist is an online shop specialising in brown rice, which is packed with nutrients such as thiamine, magnesium, iron and zinc – all of which are vital to bodily processes. Brown rice can also aid weight loss as it is high in fibre, which keeps you feeling full for longer (especially when compared with white rice).

Granted, brown rice isn’t all that palatable on its own, so The Brown Rice Specialist has found creative ways to incorporate it into other products. These run the gamut from tea in flavours such as ginger and rosemary to local desserts such as bubur hitam (black glutinous rice porridge) and tau suan (mung bean soup) – all of which are infused with, or made using, the humble grain.

6. Organic produce

At Quanfa Organic Farm, you can stock up on fresh veggies – from spinach and Swiss chard to cucumbers and radishes – grown without pesticides and fertilisers. The farm grows a wide range of fruits as well, such as apples, kiwis and blueberries.

The benefits of organic farming are numerous. For starters, pesticide-free crops are better for the environment as they do not contaminate the soil and water supply. Organic agriculture also enhances biodiversity as birds and other natural predators can live off the land safely. And that’s not to mention the health benefits: foods grown organically do not contain the toxic metals found in many pesticides and fertilisers and are typically richer in nutrients and antioxidants. You can order online here.

7. Sustainable food

Re- allows us to do our part as consumers by switching to more sustainable purchases. The Singaporean food and beverage startup aims to reduces its environmental footprint in various ways. For one, its goal is to someday be 100% plastic-free in terms of its packaging, and it is currently 91 to 98% there. It works with small farmers and aims to improve their lives by ensuring fair wage and a safer living environment. Its instant coffee is processed by a factory in Vietnam that has reduced water consumption by 38% and switched to renewables for one-third of its energy needs in the span of five years. Its almonds are from bee-friendly orchards in Australia that use 75% renewable clean energy from solar and wind.

You can also be assured that what you eat from there is good for your body. Its snacks are 100% natural and minimally processed with no preservatives, artificial colours and flavours. and they are free from GMO, peanuts, lactose, gluten, soy and cane sugar. Standouts include its creamy cashew butter and nutty cookies packed in reusable tins.

SEE ALSO: Rising above: 8 artisanal bakeries in Singapore to try

This article was initially published on 24 May 2020 and updated on 16 June 2021.

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