43rd Nutrition Month Celebration Focuses on Healthy Diet

Aiming to increase awareness on the importance of healthy diets to correct and prevent both under– and over nutrition as well as the onset of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer, the National Nutrition Council focuses this year’s observance of the 43rd Nutrition Month on healthy diet with the theme “Healthy diet, gawing habit – FOR LIFE!”

This year’s celebration aims to stir the public towards better food choices and encourage the food industry including farmers, manufacturers, distributors and food establishments to produce and make available healthier food options and help the public distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods for better food choices. It also aims to advocate for the enactment of the national and local legislation/policies supportive of an enabling environment for healthy diets.

Healthy diet, which is part of one’s healthy lifestyle is the foundation of good health. This diet must be able to satisfy one’s energy and nutrient needs for proper body functions, growth and development, daily activities and maintain health.

A healthy diet encompasses a wide range of benefits, with positive impacts on nutrition, overall health, economy as well as the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the five keys to a healthy diet. These are breastfeeding babies and young children, eating a variety of foods, eating plenty of vegetable and fruits, eating moderate amounts of fats and oil, and eating less salt and sugars. These recommendations are reiterated by the National Nutrition Council through its 10 Kumainments campaign and the Pinggang Pinoy.

The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) of Central Visayas will launch the 43rd Nutrition Month celebration on 03 July 2017 through the conduct of a healthy diet promotion caravan where school canteens, hospital cafeterias and selected food establishments will be visited by a team of nutrition advocate to encourage selling of nutritious and affordable dishes. Simultaneous activities will also be done in the different local government units of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Another activity to kick off the month-long campaign will be the Nutri Fiesta Food Bazaar where healthy, clean, nutritious and affordable dishes will be showcased by different participating food establishments. The bazaar will also happen on 03 July 2017 at the Park Mall, Mandaue City.

NNC 7 coordinates with the various government agencies, non-government organizations, local government units, media, academe, food service establishments, and food manufacturers to celebrate the 43rd Nutrition Month by initiating activities aligned with the theme and support the over-all efforts of the National Nutrition Council in achieving healthier and productive Filipinos.