The month of February is celebrated as the Philippine Heart Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 1096 signed on January 9, 1973. This aims to make more Filipinos aware of the serious health problem of heart diseases and how to keep their heart healthy. We also celebrate Valentine's Day during the 14th of February, and many celebrate it by sharing hearty meals with their loved ones, friends, and family.
Many celebrate Valentine’s Day by eating out, usually having a fancy, heavy dinner with their special someone, or with family and friends. The big date night plate is usually composed of high-calorie foods such as meats, pasta, rich desserts, and wine or alcoholic beverages. Having too much of foods that are high in salt, fat, and sugar is a big no-no. You don’t want to get heartbroken with hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, right?
So how can you keep your heart healthy? Take good care of your heart by eating healthy – that is, making sure your plate is colorful. Eat more vegetables and fruits, with the right proportion of carbohydrate food such as rice, root crops, bread or pasta, and protein. Also, eat iron-rich foods such as chicken, pork, beef, fish, eggs, and legumes. The best way to know if your plate is healthy is by using the Pinggang Pinoy as guide to have a healthy meal.
Kumainment number 8: “Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis”, reminds us to limit intake of salty, fried, fatty, and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Overly salty and oily foods could increase your blood pressure which could increase the risks of having stroke and heart diseases. In addition, too much sweet foods could increase the risk of having diabetes.
Follow Kumainment number 10: “Maging aktibo. Iwasan ang alak; huwag manigarilyo”. Many drink alcohol to celebrate the good and bad days. Consuming too much alcoholic beverages could increase not only the risk of getting liver and kidney diseases but as well as heart diseases and having a weaker immune system.
Whether you are in a relationship or not, celebrating V Day with a special someone or not, eat healthy for a healthy heart. Eat less salty, fatty, and sweet foods, and avoid or limit alcohol. Avoid getting heartbroken by heart disease.
Source:
FNRI-DOST (2015). Clinical and Health Survey. The Philippine Nutrition Facts and Figures. Retrieved from http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2015_CLINICAL_AND_HEALTH_SURVEY.pdf
Pinggang Pinoy: https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/116-pinggang-pinoy
Written by: NOI Janna Alexia Necio and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
