Filipinos today are not fond of eating vegetables, data reveal.
From a daily average of 145 grams of greens in 1978, Filipinos consumed only 110 grams of vegetables a day in 2008, based on the latest available data of the National Nutrition Council.
Meat consumption, on the other hand, is at an all-time high thanks to many ready-to-eat canned products as well fast food chains. While eating meat is a good source of protein, experts say excessive consumption can increase the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.
Reduced fruit and vegetable consumption is also linked to poor health and increased risk of non-communicable diseases. An estimated 3.9 million deaths worldwide were attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in 2017, according to the World Health Organization.
The way to combat the risks of these diseases is to promote a healthy lifestyle by eating meat in moderation and consuming the right amount of fruits and vegetables.
The WHO suggests consuming more than 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day to improve overall health and, reduce the risk of certain NCDs.
A European brand of home appliances shares these following tips to add more colors to one’s diet.
Add fruits and vegetables to the menu
Make it a point to put vegetables and fruits on the plate. Vegetables as side dishes and fruits as desserts are not only healthy but add variation and texture to any meal. It also introduces more flavors to the meal without the worry of preservatives.
Serve salads as merienda
For people who love snacking, salads are a better way to make merienda a healthy meal. Salads are packed full of nutritional benefits such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Those who like fancy texture in salads may throw in almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts. These not only add crunch but are rich in protein, vitamins B and E, folates, magnesium, oleic acid, calcium, omega 3, and so much more.
Experiment with recipes that make vegetables and fruits more appealing
Getting children to eat vegetables and fruits has always been challenging for parents. The solution is to create meals that make use of vegetables as the key ingredient. Roasted broccoli with melted cheese, roasted sesame seeds with asparagus toasts and poached eggs, corn cilantro salad, and shrimp and asparagus pasta are just some of the delicious vegetable-based recipes kids will love.
Store your greens and fruits properly
What good are the nutrition of fruits and vegetables if they can’t be kept fresh long enough? Using the right appliances to store food better is also part of promoting good health.
For instance, Beko’s RCNT415E50VZWB bottom freezer, no frost inverter refrigerator is equipped with the innovative EverFresh+ technology, keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 30 days with a precise humidity control that minimizes condensation in the crisper.
It also boasts the Active Fresh Blue Light technology that retains the natural flavors of fruits and vegetables, as well as the benefits of vitamin C as it allows for a continuous photosynthesis in the crisper. It also has IonGuard that neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and particles in the refrigerator using negative ions, allowing air inside to continue circulating so foods stay clean for much longer.
