‘Pinggang Pinoy’, Guide to Healthy, Balanced Meals

Iloilo City (PIA) — The Filipinos can now have a quick and easy guide to determine how much to eat every meal.

Pinggang Pinoy, which was developed by Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), provides consumers with recommendations of the appropriate proportion of various food groups for a truly healthy and balanced meal.

Salvador Serrano, Science Research Specialist II of FNRI, said Pinggang Pinoy is an easy-to-understand food guide aimed at helping Filipino adults acquire healthy eating habits needed to attain optimum nutrition.

“It uses a familiar food plate model to convey in a simple and understandable way the concept of eating a variety of foods in the right proportions,” he said.

The Pinggang Pinoy provides the recommended proportions of three food groups including “Go” foods composed of rice and alternatives, “Grow” foods consisting of fish and alternatives, and “Glow” foods which are vegetables and fruits.

Serrano said that the visual food guide is intended to complement and supplement the Daily Nutrition Guide Pyramid on a per-meal basis.

“It is a reminder on how to fill up your plate with the right amount, proportion and quality of food.

He said that the target users are Filipino adults, 19 years old and above, without special medical attention.

According to the 2013 National Nutrition Survey, one (1) out of 10 adults is chronically energy-deficient and 3 out of 10 are overweight and obese. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)