THE Department of Health, through the National Nutrition Council, leads the nation in celebrating the 43rd Nutrition Month with this year’s theme “Healthy diet, gawing habit—For Life!”
Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said DoH strongly advocated for the health and nutrition of all Filipinos—by latest count a little over 106 million.
“I emphasize that adequate supply of clean, drinking water should be made available to prevent dehydration,” said Ubial.
Likewise, she said “vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly should be given attention to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Let us make every day a Nutrition Day.”
Nutrition Month is an annual campaign held every July to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos.
Throughout the years, the Nutrition Month celebration has been institutionalized by schools and local government units as well as other stakeholders.
The health chief said the campaign aimed to increase awareness on the importance of healthy diets which protects against both under- and over-nutrition and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and certain types of cancer.
A healthy diet encompasses a wide range of benefits, with positive impacts on nutrition, overall health, economy as well as the environment.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a healthy diet: a. includes a variety of foods from different food groups; b. meets the individual needs for calories and nutrients; c. is safe, with no risk from toxins, bacteria, mold or chemicals; d. is enjoyable and culturally acceptable; and e. is available and sufficient each day and all-year round.
Moreover, according to the World Health Organization, a healthy diet emphasizes regular intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, root crops, fat-free or low-fat milk, lean meats, poultry, fish, egg, beans and nuts.
It is also low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars.
A healthy diet, which is part of a healthy lifestyle, is the foundation of good health, according to medical experts.
It is a diet that is able to satisfy one’s energy and nutrient needs for proper body functions, growth and development, daily activities and maintenance of health, keeping well within one’s caloric needs, they added.