SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — Malaysia’s abundant durian season this year has allowed consumers to enjoy the king of fruits at lower prices, but a nutritionist has advised the public to control their intake and avoid overeating.
Thaneswary Rajasekharan said it is important to remember limiting the consumption of the fruit even though durian contains nutrients including Vitamin C and phosphorus.
“Durian indeed has many benefits. For example, it has Vitamin C and phosphorus.
“About 100g or three to four segments is enough to get its benefits. We do not need to eat too much,” she told Media Selangor.
According to the Malaysian Food Composition Database, 100g of fresh durian contains about 23.3mg of Vitamin C, 44mg of phosphorus, and 27.9g of carbohydrates.
Thaneswary added that diabetics should be particularly careful due to the fruit’s sugar and carbohydrate content.
“If you have diabetes, you really need to be more careful because durian has sugar. If you eat too much, your blood sugar level can increase.
“People with diabetes do not necessarily have to avoid durian completely, but the amount consumed needs to be controlled according to their health condition and daily food intake,” she said.
The nutritionist noted that the cheaper prices during the peak season could encourage people to consume excessive amounts.
“The problem is, sometimes our people eat up to four or five durians. If the price is cheap, we buy even more.
“So, we need to control how much we eat. If you already have health problems, we need to be more careful.
“Do not follow other people and eat a lot because everyone’s body condition is different,” Thaneswary said.
Addressing the traditional belief that durian is a “heaty” food, she noted that excessive consumption could cause discomfort for some people.
“If the body is sensitive to foods considered heaty, when you eat too much durian, the body may feel uncomfortable. So, do not overdo it,” she said.
Thaneswary also advised against consuming durian together with “heavy” foods and drinks, particularly those high in carbohydrates.
“Drinks that are high in carbohydrates, milk, or red meat should not be taken with durian because the stomach may feel uncomfortable, bloated, and have difficulty digesting,” she said.
Malaysia’s main durian season typically runs from June to August, although the exact timing varies by state, weather conditions and durian variety.
Some areas may also experience a second, smaller season between December and February, depending on rainfall and growing conditions.
The country also has around 200 cultivated durian varieties, including popular varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn.
Meanwhile, Thaneswary said consumers should buy according to their needs rather than feeling pressured to try every variety.
“If there are four people in the family, buy according to how much can be eaten. Do not buy a lot just because it looks cheap, and eventually end up eating too much.
“Durian is indeed delicious and many people really like it. But we need to know when to stop. We can eat it, but we need to control it.
“There is nothing wrong with eating durian; just do not overdo it. Choose the type that we like, buy according to our needs and most importantly, control how much we eat,” she said.
