Planning a date out this Valentine’s Day?
This year’s celebration is way different from our traditional way since we need extra precaution due to COVID-19 pandemic.
To keep your loved ones safe and healthy this Hearts Day, take note of these tips:
- Prepare a well-balanced meal instead of dining out.
Make home-cooked and well-balanced meals having varied ingredients for your loved ones. Use the Pinggang Pinoy of Department of Food Science and Nutrition- Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) which shows suggested proportions of Go, Grow and Glow foods per meal basis. You may also practice using plant-based cooking oils such as sunflower, canola, corn and olive oils and removing visible fat and skin in meats. Every Tuesdays of February, NNC MIMAROPA Facebook page features heart healthy dishes you may want to prepare. Click here to direct to the posts: http://bit.ly/FACTkain
- Choose fresh fruit juice over sugar sweetened beverages.
Consumption of fresh fruit juice rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients will keep one’s body strong amidst the pandemic. Some are very fond of drinking sugar sweetened beverages without knowing that it increases their risk of experiencing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity, tooth decay and cavities, kidney diseases, gout and non-alcoholic liver diseases later in life. Choose natural over processed beverages!
- When staying outdoors, wear your gears properly.
Nowadays, don’t leave your house without your face mask and face shield! Make sure to clean your hands before and after touching the mask. Adjust the mask without leaving any gaps on your face. Ensure that your mouth, nose and chin are well-covered. Remove your mask through the straps behind your ears. If the mask is made of fabric, wash it properly after every use. If the mask is a surgical mask, throw it immediately and never reuse. Lastly, remember to clean your face shield before and after use, and ensure that it covers your entire face.
- Stay in an open and well-ventilated area.
If you really want to stay outdoors this Valentine’s Day, opt to stay in a well-ventilated and open area where there is minimal contact to people. Activities such as picnic or garage dates are viable options. Avoid frequently touched surfaces and regularly sanitize your hands. Lessen going to public places during peak hours and choose between early morning and late night. Follow the minimum safety health protocols implemented by the facility to minimize risk of catching the disease.
Celebrating Hearts Day responsibly. As much as you love your special someone, don’t forget to love and prioritize your safety and health, too. Being safe from COVID-19 is the best gift you can offer to your loved ones. Together, let us beat COVID-19! (NKSLoyola)
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Get the Facts: Sugar-sweetened Bevereages and Consumption. Accessed from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html
World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks. Accessed from:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks#:~:text=Here%20are%20the%20basics%20of,your%20nose%2C%20mouth%20and%20chin.
