Like many others in the country, Walid Muhammad stopped eating fast food from popular chains such as McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks in November 2023, as Israel’s massive military operation in Gaza triggered a global campaign to boycott US business interests worldwide in protest at Washington’s continued financial aid to the Zionist war machine.
The father of three said that before joining the boycott of brands which pro-Palestinian groups say are linked to the US economy, he and his family would eat fast food nearly every week.
But a year and a half of avoiding such meals has done wonders for them in a number of ways.
“We’ve been able to keep better track of our sugar and oil intake from processed food,” Walid, a lecturer at UiTM, said.
“We feel less bloated, and our digestion is much better. Our daily energy levels are also more stable now.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is estimated to have claimed the lives of more than 50,000 so far, sparking large-scale boycotts around the world, especially in Muslim countries.
The boycotts are supported by groups such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), which is also influential in Malaysia.
McDonald’s Malaysia, which is owned by Gerbang Alaf Restaurants, filed a defamation suit against BDS Malaysia, accusing it of jeopardising its business. But the global burger chain dropped the suit last year following mediation.
Other chains such as KFC and Starbucks have also borne the brunt of the global boycott campaign, with hundreds of KFC and Starbucks outlets reportedly closed since the start of the boycott.
In addition to enjoying better health, Walid and his family now save more than RM300 a month from eating out, finding it cheaper to eat at home.
Local radio presenter Ean Nasrun meanwhile said he had noticed a drastic improvement after refraining from his favourite food like burgers and fried chicken.
“I started cooking a lot more after not being able to patronise my then-favourite burger joint.
“I also didn’t eat as much fried chicken even though that’s my favourite fast food,” he told MalaysiaNow.
“Supplementing with exercise, I have managed to lose 10kg so far.”
Ean acknowledged that eating healthy could also be more expensive, but described it as a long-term investment.
And if his nieces and nephews clamour for fast food, he and his wife have become experts at cooking up their own.
“Our homemade burgers are much healthier, and we put in more veggies,” he said.
University student Khadija Nabiha Mohd Nazari said she, too, had become healthier since deciding to boycott the fast food stores.
“Most of the brands that are being boycotted sell food that is close to our hearts,” she said.
“We grew up with these brands,” she said, giving the example of a popular ice-cream brand which contains sugar and artificial ingredients.
“Now, I don’t even buy ice-cream anymore and I couldn’t feel healthier. I often opt for fruits instead, which is real food.”
Like Walid, Khadija has saved quite a bit from avoiding fast food restaurants, putting away almost RM100 each month.
Health expert Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar said the boycott trend was a good step towards a healthier lifestyle.
She said apart from punishing fast food joints and businesses which contribute to the US government coffers, it also helps to tackle the problem of obesity
“Fast food is high in calories, fat and trans fat, and it has a high salt content.
“We can also help the local food industry,” she said.
According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 54.4% of Malaysian adults are obese or overweight, up from 44.5% in 2011.
Britain’s National Health Service has listed eating large amounts of processed or fast food as among factors contributing to development of obesity and overweight.
The association between fast food and obesity was best highlighted by a historic lawsuit by two teenagers in 2003, who sued McDonalds for allegedly making them obese.
The case was partially dismissed and its final outcome remains unsettled to date.
Following the case, food and beverage giants have embarked on a major public relations campaign, introducing more nutritious products, promoting them through advertising and enhanced labeling, and improving public access to nutritional information on websites and menus.