Cebu City - For the last topic of NNC 7’s e-HISGOT (Educational Health and Nutrition Information-Sharing Geared TOwards DevelopmenT) program, the episode talked about the topic, Nutrition in the Holidays. The Christmas season has long been a tradition for Filipino families to get together. It is a time when families travel back home for reunions. Especially in Central Visayas, which was heavily affected by Typhoon Odette last year. Houses were dimly lit and some weren’t able to return home.

In the Philippines, the Christmas season has long begun since the start of the ‘Ber’ months. You can already hear Jose Mari Chan songs playing on the radio, singing our favorite yuletide songs. This year, Filipinos look forward to celebrating it like how we used to. Here are some tips for the Holiday Season:

• Plan your Noche Buena and Media Noche ahead. Planning for any celebration is quite a challenge but when you involve other members of the family, it might get a little fun. Everyone will probably be more willing and enthusiastic about what is to be prepared if they are all participating in the process. After all, Christmas is all about family.
  
  
• Prepare your grocery list. Prepare a list according to the different sections in the store. Making a list is a wise thing to do so that we don't forget what to buy and helps us stick to the plan and buy only what we need.
  
  
• Offer healthy meals during celebrations. It is better that we provide healthier food options to our guests when we host a party or our family for Christmas dinner or parties. Serve nuts and dried fruits as an appetizer before the main meal. You can also opt to choose a healthier type of protein like fish and chicken instead of red meats. Offer also fresh fruits as dessert rather than sweet cakes and pastries.
  
  
• Add twists to your usual Christmas meal. Search online for healthy but delicious recipes to serve. You can visit the Facebook page of the National Nutrition Council Region VII for sample recipes.
  
  

Christmas is the most festive holiday in the Philippines and the best gift anyone can receive during this season, is a happy family wrapped up in each other. / ND II Franz Cassandra R. Ontina, RND