BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC-CAR) presented the 2012 revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) during the first quarter meeting of the Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition (RTAN) held Wednesday at Hotel Veniz here.
Kendall Gatan, Nutrition Officer of NNC-CAR, said the guidelines had been revised to ensure that the messages will respond to the changes to the nutrition situation of the country and with the new information on nutrition and related interventions to address nutrition problems.
He said that similar to the 2000 NGF, the 2012 version has 10 messages and includes the nutritional and health rationale for each message.
“The goal of the 2012 guidelines is the improvement of nutritional status, productivity and quality of life of the population, through the adoption of desirable dietary practices and healthy lifestyle,” he added.
The NGF likewise aims to protect and promote nutrition of Filipinos. It provides the basis and reference for the nutrition community in the development of nutrition information, education and communication materials and in the conduct of nutrition education and advocacy activities.
The 2012 NGF has the following messages: Eat a variety of foods everyday to get the nutrients needed by the body; Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to six months then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond for optimum growth and development; Attain normal body weight through proper diet and moderate physical activity to maintain good health and help prevent obesity; Consume fish, lean meat, poultry, egg, dried beans or nuts daily for growth and repair of body tissues; Eat more vegetables and fruits everyday to get the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for regulation of body processes.
Furthermore, limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases; Consume milk, milk product, and other calcium-rich foods, such as small fish and shellfish, everyday for healthy bones and teeth; Use iodized salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders; Consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food-and water-borne diseases; Be physically active, make healthy food choices, manage stress, avoid alcoholic beverages and do not smoke to help prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable disease.
Gatan disclosed that the 2000 NGF was updated last year and adopted by the NNC Governing Board through Board Resolution No. 6 series of 2012 during its meeting on October 31, 2012. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)
