One of the first practical questions new employers face is deceptively simple: what does your helper eat?

It sounds minor, but food is a daily cost, a cultural bridge, and — for many employer-helper relationships — a surprising source of friction. Some employers share every meal. Others provide a food allowance and let the helper manage her own meals entirely. Most land somewhere in between.

Here's what works, what doesn't, and what the real costs look like.

MOM's Position

MOM requires employers to provide "adequate food" for your helper. There is no specific dollar amount mandated, but the expectation is clear: your helper should have enough nutritious food for three meals a day plus snacks.

You can meet this obligation in three ways:

  • Share your family's meals — your helper eats what your family eats
  • Provide separate food — you buy groceries specifically for your helper
  • Give a food allowance — a monthly cash amount (typically S$100–200) for your helper to buy her own food All three are acceptable under MOM guidelines.

Option 1: Sharing Meals

This is the simplest approach and common in many Singapore households, especially when the helper also cooks for the family.

How it works: Your helper eats the same food your family eats. No separate grocery list, no separate budget.

Pros:

  • Simplest to manage — no separate planning
  • Builds a sense of inclusion
  • Helper learns your family's food preferences naturally Cons:
  • Can get expensive if your family buys organic, premium, or specialty ingredients
  • Dietary restrictions may conflict (e.g., your helper is Muslim and doesn't eat pork; your family loves pork dishes)
  • Portion expectations can become a silent issue — you may not notice how much extra food is being consumed until the grocery bill surprises you When it works best: When your helper cooks for the family, eats similar food, and your grocery budget has room for an extra person.

Option 2: Separate Food

Your helper has her own groceries, her own cooking time, and her own meals. You provide the ingredients.

How it works: You stock basic staples for your helper (rice, eggs, bread, chicken, vegetables) and she prepares her own meals during breaks or after work.

Common staples by nationality:

Myanmar helpers typically eat:

  • Rice (long grain or Thai jasmine), eggs, chicken, fish
  • Vegetables: morning glory (kangkong), long beans, lady's finger (okra)
  • Condiments: fish sauce, lime, chili
  • Some enjoy instant noodles, frozen dumplings, and bread with jam Indonesian helpers typically eat:
  • Rice, chicken, eggs, fish, tofu, tempeh
  • Instant noodles (Indomie is a favorite)
  • Vegetables similar to Myanmar preferences
  • Note: Muslim helpers will need halal meat and won't eat pork. Some may need separate cooking utensils. Filipino helpers typically eat:
  • Rice, chicken, pork (if not Muslim), eggs, canned goods
  • Filipino-style dishes with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic
  • Bread, coffee, and snacks Pros:
  • Clear cost control — you know exactly how much you spend on helper food
  • No dietary conflicts
  • Helper gets to eat food she actually enjoys Cons:
  • Requires extra fridge space and separate meal preparation time
  • You need to actively ensure she has enough variety and nutrition
  • Shopping logistics — who buys her groceries? Cost: S$150–250 per month for separate groceries, depending on the helper's preferences.

Option 3: Food Allowance

You give your helper a fixed monthly amount to buy and manage her own food entirely.

Typical range: S$100–200 per month

How it works: Your helper receives the allowance (cash or transfer) and buys her own food during rest days or designated shopping time. She stores her food separately and cooks her own meals.

Pros:

  • Maximum autonomy for the helper
  • Simplest for the employer — no grocery planning
  • Clear, fixed cost Cons:
  • New helpers who are unfamiliar with Singapore may not know where to shop affordably
  • Some helpers may not eat well if the allowance is too low
  • Requires the helper to have some freedom to go shopping When it works best: For experienced helpers who know Singapore well and prefer independence in their meals.

The Hybrid Approach (Most Common)

Many employers end up with a mix: the helper eats family meals for lunch and dinner but has her own breakfast items (bread, eggs, jam, coffee). Snacks and specific cravings are her own responsibility, sometimes with a small monthly allowance (S$20–50) for extras.

This is often the most practical approach because:

  • The helper eats dinner with or after the family (since she usually cooks it)
  • Breakfast is personal preference — she might eat at 6 AM before anyone else is up
  • It avoids the awkwardness of completely separate food while keeping costs reasonable

Cost Comparison

Approach Monthly cost Effort
Shared meals (family food) S$200–400 additional on grocery bill Low
Separate groceries S$150–250 Medium
Food allowance S$100–200 (fixed) Low
Hybrid (share meals + small allowance) S$150–300 Low-Medium

Tips for Keeping Food Costs Reasonable

Shop at the right places

FairPrice Finest and Cold Storage are expensive for bulk staples. For helper food basics:

  • FairPrice (regular, not Finest) — affordable rice, eggs, vegetables
  • Wet markets — fresh vegetables, meat, and fish at lower prices
  • Value stores — snacks, instant noodles, toiletries at budget prices
  • RedMart — convenient for bulk delivery of basics

Ask your helper what she needs

Many helpers are too polite to ask for specific food items. Have the conversation directly: "What do you like to eat? What do you need me to buy?" A helper who eats well works better — it's that simple.

Set clear portions for shared meals

If sharing family meals, serve your helper's portion separately rather than letting her take from the main dish. This prevents the uncomfortable dynamic of monitoring how much she eats and ensures everyone gets enough.

Don't restrict unreasonably

A helper who is hungry is a helper who is distracted, irritable, and prone to mistakes. Food should never be used as a control mechanism. If cost is a genuine concern, switch to the allowance model rather than restricting portions.

How HelperMate Helps

HelperMate's expense tracking makes food cost management transparent for both sides:

  • Monthly expense categories — track food spending separately from other household costs
  • Shared visibility — both employer and helper see the same financial records
  • Receipt scanning — snap photos of grocery receipts for easy record-keeping Download HelperMate on Google Play → | App Store →

This guide reflects general practices in Singapore households. MOM requires employers to provide adequate food. For details, refer to the official MOM website. This article is for informational purposes only.