The phenomenon of Indonesian society's dependence on flour-based foods, now popularly known as the 'Flour Republic', has begun to receive serious attention from the medical community. Products such as instant noodles, fried foods, and various traditional street snacks have become the primary choice for the public due to their affordable prices and quick preparation.
Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, dr. Iman Permana, M.Kes., Ph.D., emphasized that although flour is a source of energy, excessive consumption without calorie control can backfire on health. In the long run, this habit contributes significantly to the surge in non-communicable disease cases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and stroke.
Dr. Iman explained that the main issue lies in the nature of simple carbohydrates in flour, which cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Frequently, flour-based foods are also prepared by deep-frying in oil that has been repeatedly heated, thereby increasing exposure to saturated fats that trigger insulin resistance and obesity.
Besides convenience, economic accessibility is the main reason why people prefer flour-based foods over protein or vegetables. This creates an unhealthy cycle of dependency, where the temporary feeling of fullness provided by flour makes a person feel hungry sooner and tend to overeat.
Facing this challenge, dr. Iman emphasized the importance of cross-sector synergy. The government is expected to lower the prices of healthy food commodities such as fish, vegetables, and animal protein to make them more competitive. On the other hand, food diversification based on local commodities such as cassava, corn, and sago must continue to be encouraged to reduce reliance on a single type of carbohydrate.
Nutritional literacy education is a key step to changing public consumption patterns in the future. Dr. Iman urged that people do not need to avoid flour completely, but rather be wiser in controlling portion sizes, ensuring a more balanced nutrient intake, and actively engaging in physical activity to maintain body fitness sustainably.
