nnc.gov.

ph

Your Guide to Good Nutrition

Francis Erik P. Bacena

4-5 minutes

According to the Department

of Health (DOH), six (6) out of ten (10) leading causes of mortality
in the Philippines are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
specifically cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, cancers, all forms
of tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus and nephritis. Non-communicable
diseases are developed due to the poor eating habits and inactive
lifestyle of a person. The brighter side is that these diseases are
modifiable, meaning, it can be managed if proper nutrition and
healthy lifestyle are observed.

There are three (3) guides to attain proper and good nutrition. The
first nutritional guide is the 10 Kumainments developed by the
National Nutrition Council (NNC) composed of ten (10)
recommendations to be easily remembered by the Filipinos. It is
the popular version of the Revised Nutritional Guidelines for
Filipinos. It was launched to improve the nutritional status and
eating habits of Filipinos and help combat malnutrition and diet-
associated illnesses. The ten messages are 1) Kumain ng iba’t-
ibang pagkain, 2) Sa unang anim na buwan ni baby, breastfeeding
lamang; mula anim na buwan, bigyan din siya ng ibang angkop na
pagkain, 3) Kumain ng gulat at prutas araw-araw, 4) Kumain ng
isda, karne at ibang pagkaing may protina, 5) Uminom ng gatas;
kumain ng pagkaing mayaman sa calcium, 6) Tiyaking malinis at
ligtas ang ating pagkain at tubig, 7) Gumamit ng iodized salt, 8)
Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis, 9) Panatilihin
ang tamang timbang, and 10) Maging aktibo. Iwasan ang alak at
huwag manigarilyo.

The second nutritional guide is the Pinggang Pinoy developed by

the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) is a new, easy to understand food
guide that uses a familiar food plate model to convey the right food
group proportions on a per meal basis to meet the body’s energy
and nutrient needs of an adult. This is a visual tool to guide
Filipinos in consuming the right amount of food in every meal. Also,
Pinggang Pinoy of five population groups namely, kids, teens,
adults, elderly, pregnant and lactating women vary from each other.

The last nutritional guide is the Nutritional Guide Pyramid by the

Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) to guide on how much 1) fats and
oils, 2) sugar, 3) meat and poultry, 4) milk and milk products, 5)
vegetables, 6) fruits, 7) rice and rice products and 8) water or
beverages should a Filipino eat in one day. Aside from that, this
guide encourages Filipinos to exercise and practice personal and
environmental hygiene for a healthy living. Note that pyramids differ
in seven population groups - toddlers, kids, teens, adults, elderly,
pregnant women and lactating women.

As early as now, challenge yourself by practicing good nutrition

through 10 Kumainments, Pinggang Pinoy and Nutritional Guide
Pyramid. Proper nutrition coupled with healthy lifestyle is an
investment you can provide for yourself. Imagine yourself years
from now, still strong and mobile without experiencing any
complications and pain. Imagine yourself being free from these
non-communicable diseases because you nourished yourself with
the right kind and amount of food during your younger years. Take
care of your health, your body will thank you in the future!
(NKSLoyola)

Sources:

https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1058

https://www.nnc.gov.ph/40-10-kumainments/195-10-kumainments-
collaterals

https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/116-pinggang-pinoy

https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/tools-and-standard
/nutritional-guide-pyramid