TIMES JAZIRAH, JAKARTA – A variety of healthy food are needed to meet the nutritional needs of Indonesian children. One simple, delicious, and nutritionally balanced menu is nasi pecel. This simple Javanese dish offers a complete combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber in one serving. 

Nasi pecel consists of warm white rice combined with a variety of boiled vegetables such as long beans, spinach, bean sprouts, and cosmos leaves. It's topped with a savory, spicy (or non-spicy) and aromatic peanut sauce, and served with side dishes such as fried tempeh, rempeyek, or boiled eggs. This combination makes pecel rice not only filling but also fulfills daily nutritional needs. 

From a health perspective, rice, as a source of carbohydrates and energy, combines with vegetables rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Meanwhile, tempeh and eggs can be good sources of plant and animal protein for the growth and repair of body cells.  With its nutritional content, nasi pecel is often considered a simple dish that can meet the needs of a healthy diet. 

This simple dish has a total calorie count of 600-950 kcal. Not only is it simple to serve, but making pecel rice doesn't require complicated procedures. 

Beware for Those with Allergies to Peanut

It's important to note that although healthy and able to meet fiber and protein needs, pecel seasoning contains nuts. 

"For those with sensitivities, the peanut content in pecel seasoning or other ingredients used can trigger allergies," said Dr. Nadia Nurotul Fuadah, a nutrionnist at Halodoc said. 

Still accoring to the her, there are several varying symptoms that can occur shortly after consuming peanuts. Some common symptoms of peanut allergies include diarrhea, difficulty breathing, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and swelling, usually of the tongue or lips. 

More Severe Symptoms

Nadia also added that there are also more severe allergy symptoms, such as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a very severe allergic reaction and can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, a rapid and irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, cold and pale skin, bloating, nausea and vomiting, chest pain or discomfort, and even death. 

However, behind its simplicity, pecel rice also holds cultural value. Every mouthful brings a sense of nostalgia for family togetherness in the village, the distinctive aroma of a traditional kitchen, and a simple, down-to-earth philosophy of life. 

With all these advantages, pecel rice proves that traditional Indonesian cuisine is not only about taste, but also about nutritional balance and life values. The body's protein and fiber needs can be easily met with just a plate of nasi pecel. (*)