The crispy fried vegetables served alongside ayam gepuk may be a favourite for some diners, but a social media post has sparked debate over how healthy the popular side dish really is.
A Threads user’s warning about deep-fried bayam, or spinach, has prompted discussions about cooking oil, cholesterol and whether diners should cut back on fried vegetables.
In the post, Threads user @imruh20 urged people to avoid deep-fried bayam, noting that the dish is commonly served at ayam gepuk outlets.
The user claimed that eating the dish could contribute to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, depending on the type and amount of oil used.
The post also referred to people developing heart disease in their 30s, although it did not identify a specific case or establish that eating deep-fried bayam had caused anyone’s condition.
The user shared a photograph of fried leafy vegetables placed on brown food wrapping paper alongside the warning.
The discussion soon broadened to deep-fried food in general, with one commenter arguing that people should reduce their intake of all deep-fried dishes rather than singling out spinach.
Another jokingly suggested that pisang goreng, or fried banana fritters, should also be included in the conversation.
A separate commenter asked whether the same concerns applied to fried kangkung, or water spinach, prompting another user to distinguish between deep-frying and lightly frying vegetables.
Not everyone was concerned about the health aspect, however. Some commenters admitted they simply disliked the taste and texture of deep-fried vegetables served with ayam gepuk.
One user said they had tried the dish several times but still could not enjoy it, while another shared that they usually requested raw cabbage instead of the fried version.
For context, the American Heart Association warns that consuming too much saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Saturated fat is found in some cooking oils, including palm and coconut oil, as well as certain fried foods. The organisation also emphasises the importance of a person’s overall eating pattern.
However, the nutritional content of the bayam shown in the post was not established, and the discussion does not prove that the dish causes heart disease.
The debate nevertheless highlights how cooking methods, oil choices and overall dietary habits can influence the nutritional value of foods, including vegetables.
