Cebu Province - A plant-based diet consists primarily of whole foods and plants, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. When choosing a plant-based lifestyle, an individual can go vegan, vegetarian, or whole food plant-based (WFPB).

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, such as dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and occasionally honey. Vegetarians avoid all meat and poultry but may consume eggs or dairy. WFBP emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, and limits or avoids animal products based on personal preferences

Here are the benefits of a plant-based diet:

·         Better cardiovascular health (decreased blood pressure, lowered heart rate, reduced risk for cardiovascular events)

·         Lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels

·         Lower carbon footprint

·         Reduced risk of developing type II diabetes

·         Improved glycemic control

·         Obesity management

·         Protection against certain cancers

·         Improved neurocognitive function, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease prevention and management

To get the full benefits of a plant-based diet, the research emphasizes consuming fresh, whole ingredients and limiting processed foods. A person's health will undoubtedly be improved by switching to a plant-based diet or even just by including more fresh produce in their diet. However, plant-based diets may cause the following health issues without proper preparation and food education:

• Low intake of protein
• Iron deficiency
• Lower calcium and vitamin D intake leads to decreased bone mineralization and an increased risk of fracture.
• Lack of vitamin B12
• Reduced intake of essential fatty acids

Plant-based diets are generally considered safe and healthy but do require planning and lifestyle shifts around the foods an individual is choosing to consume. For us, Filipinos, we have The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) which is a set of dietary guidelines based on the eating pattern, lifestyle, and health status of Filipinos. There is no single food that contains all the nutrients that our body needs so eating a variety of food ensures that daily nutritional needs are met. // ND II Bea Margaux E. Cornelia, RND