Introduction

Welcome to the New Normal! Living in the “new” means adapting to the environment and while there is a significant shift, it is crucial to stick to the core and uphold the essentials, especially proper nutrition which plays a key role in building resilience and improved health status.

To learn proper nutrition in the New Normal, here’s a video featuring Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian Ms. Eloisa Villaraza giving 5 nutritional tips. 
 

 

Nutrition Tip #1: Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet using the Pinggang Pinoy as a guide

The PINGGANG PINOY® shows the appropriate amounts of go, grow, and glow on a plate. It also shows the variety of food to get different nutrients the body needs. Curious about what your plate should look like? Go check PINGGANG PINOY®.

 

Nutrition Tip #2: Increase the consumption of foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12 such as citrus and dark green leafy vegetables

These vitamins strengthen our immune system. Thinking about which food type has the vitamin you’re looking for? Vitamin A can be obtained from yellow, green, and red fruits and vegetables, fish oils, and eggs; Vitamin C from citrus fruits and green vegetables; Vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and plant-based oils; Vitamin B6 from animal products, fishes, dark green leafy vegetables and fruits; and Vitamin B12 from meat and meat products, cheese, and eggs.

 

Nutrition Tip #3: Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle

Get yourself moving! Exercising for at least 30 minutes to an hour a day, on most days of the week as part of an active lifestyle is helpful in the prevention and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

 

Nutrition Tip #4: Drink 8-10 glasses of water and nutritious beverages every day

An adult body is composed of up to 60% water. Water is essential in regulating body temperature, metabolism, and flushing toxins out of our bodies.  That’s why drinking enough water is essential to keep us hydrated, which also ups our body’s defenses.

 

Nutrition Tip #5: Read the food label

Food labels informs us of the caloric and nutrient content of food per serving.  It also provides information on how much of the nutrients to promote (like protein, vitamins, and minerals) and nutrients to limit (like sodium and fat) are in the product.  Likewise, it shows how many nutrients to limit like sodium and fat are in the product.  Remember to choose food that is high in fiber and antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E to strengthen the immune system.

Living a healthy lifestyle is a choice; these 5 steps will surely lead you to make the right choices.