Dumaguete City - Food is now very accessible to everyone and has a variety of choices to choose from. However, it is pertinent to understand how diets affect an individual’s quality of life. Diet is the food and drinks that we consume daily. Consuming a healthy diet can help prevent malnutrition and avoid non-communicable diseases such as heart disease.
The key to health is Moderation, Variety, Balance, or MoVaBa, a powerful nutrition strategy that helps reduce or even eliminate some risk factors. One of the benefits is reducing total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol in our bloodstream - a type of fats that develops into plaques that block or narrows the bloodstream that contributes to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. A balanced diet also lowers blood sugar and triglycerides levels, and it helps achieve ideal body weight.
Moderation- referred to as food portion control. We may eat different kinds of food, but we must consume the food quantity in moderation. Over the years, food portion sizes have increased. This lifestyle has significantly contributed to obesity and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, being aware and mindful of the portion size plays a role in consuming the recommended amount of food daily. For example, one serving of fish equals the size of one’s palm.
Variety. There is no single food that can provide all the nutrients needed in our body. Eating a variety of food is the key to ensure that you get the essential nutrients required for bodily functions and energy for day-to-day activities.
Balance. This means the right amount and correct proportion of food intake required by the body is achieved. A balanced diet is illustrated in the food pyramid; however, it can be visualized in a plate that contains a ¼ carbohydrate source, ¼ protein source, and ½ fruits and vegetables source.
Make it a habit to follow Pinggang Pinoy. This is an easy-to-understand food guide that uses a familiar food plate model to convey the right food group proportions on a per-meal basis. This guide will help Filipinos acquire healthy eating habits needed to attain optimum nutrition. Remember that a balanced diet paired with physical exercise are keys to maintain healthy body weight and help regulate the body system for its optimal functioning. //ND Shaira Vita A. Calumpang, RND
