PALO, LEYTE - The sweetest time of the year is spending quality time with your family and loved ones on holiday's season. Of course, the celebration of love and peace is incomplete without feasting on the food prepared wholeheartedly using the family traditional's secret recipe. Fatty foods such as lechon, sweet glazed ham, fruit cake, embutido, kaldereta, spaghetti and pancit, leche flan and ube jam and cakes and alike will surely delight the tummies of everyone without reservation.   But have you ever wonder why our government keep on campaigning specifically on 10 kumainments and pinggang pinoy and will remind us on "maghinay hinay sa maaalat at matataba"? Maghinay hinay sa maaalat at matataba is a very timely reminder for us during holiday seasons wherein we should eat in moderation because everything that we eat that is too much is bad for our health and will likely to develop non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer in the future. Hence, the celebration of love and peace during holiday seasons is more meaningful and still enjoyable as long as we eat and feast in moderation without worrying the NCDs.

So before you say goodbye to 2018, make sure to face 2019 with a healthy heart by following these holiday food safety tips from the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council:

1. Avoid too much fatty, salty, and sugary foods. Foods high in fats include dairy products, fatty meat & poultry, and processed foods (e.g. burgers, sausages, pastry, pies, & cakes). These foods have to be taken less often and in smaller amounts only. Cut down on sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water or no added sugar drinks. If you love eating sweets and have a hard time preventing yourself from eating one, try to gradually cut sugar out of your diet. You can also try eating unsalted snacks such as plain popcorn or plain nuts.
2. Make sure to properly check the meat and fish to avoid diarrhea and food poisoning. Foods that are not properly cooked or processed have a high risk of causing food poisoning. Maintain clean food preparation practices and ensure to cook meat & fish thoroughly before eating.
3. Read the food label and its expiration date carefully. Consumers should always take into consideration the expiration date of a product when buying. A product that is already past its expiration date even if it still looks & smells fine should no longer be consumed, for health & safety reasons.

Following these easy tips will not only give you the healthy diet that you need but it will also make your new year a nutritious one. Have a blessed holiday season everyone! (Sharmie Nicole B. Tansingco and Novida D. Rico)