Santan or coconut milk is naturally high in saturated fats. Of the different types of santan, coconut cream extract has the highest calorie and saturated fat content, followed by regular santan, trim santan and light santan. Santan isn’t the villain—it’s how much and how often we use it. Santan itself is not necessarily harmful when enjoyed in moderation. The main concern is the quantity and frequency of consumption.

Dr Farah Yasmin Hasbullah, Dietitian and Lecturer, School of Health Sciences at IMU University,  shares smart tips to cut down or swap santan while keeping your Raya rendang, kuah lodeh, and more just as delicious.

Learn more about this at Raya Without Santan?! Can or Not? (Health Today, 8 March 2025).