Helper’s diary

Based on my experience living and working as a domestic helper in Singapore, the meals tend to focus on simple, nutritious, and affordable ingredients that provide the necessary energy for long workdays. Breakfast often includes rice or bread with eggs or simple leftovers from previous meals. Lunch and dinner usually revolve around steamed rice accompanied by vegetables, eggs, and occasionally some meat or fish when available. Many helpers find comfort in familiar dishes from their home countries, such as dal, lentils, or coconut-based curries, which help ease homesickness. To manage with limited ingredients and time, helpers often adapt recipes creatively—using whatever vegetables or proteins are accessible in local markets or provided by the employer. Simple stir-fried vegetables with garlic, fried eggs, and occasionally canned sardines are common staples. Snack choices also tend to be light and practical, including fruits or traditional sweets from home. Households sometimes support their helpers by providing specific ingredients that remind them of home, acknowledging the important role familiar food plays in their overall well-being. Given the resource constraints during historical periods like the Japanese occupation, many households learned to make comforting meals from basic ingredients, a tradition that helps inform current helper meal practices. Overall, the food diary of a domestic helper in Singapore reflects resilience, cultural ties, and the need for practical, nourishing meals to sustain demanding daily routines.