Week 3-4

Use of Nutrition Guides

This module will discuss different guides and basis for healthier diet and consumption of
meal intake on the daily basis. Local and international guides are included to ensure proper
health status.

Reading Link:

• The Best Diet: Quality Count

The Nutrition Source
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/best-diet-quality-
counts/

• Healthy Dietary Styles

The Nutrition Source
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/healthy-dietary-styles/

Use of Nutrition Guides

a. Dietary Recommendation
 Source: Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Sciene and
Technology

b. Food Guides

b.1 Pinggang Pinoy and MyPlate – USDA

Source: Department of Health

 Source: ChooseMyPlate.gov

b.2 Food Guide Pyramid

Source: FAO.ORG
Source: oldwayspt.org
b.3 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos

Source: National Nutrition Council

C. Food Labels

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates labels on all
packaged foods except for meat, poultry and egg products. The Nutrition Labeling and
Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) requires nutrition labeling for most food and authorizes the use
of nutrient content claims and approved health claims. The nutrition label should indicate
approved health claims to clear up confusion. Proper nutrition label helps consumers choose
more healthful diets and offers an incentive to food companies to improve the nutritional
qualities of their products.
In the Philippines and other countries in the Southeast Asian Region, there is no
mandatory nutrition-labeling requirement for foods. However, several food manufacturers,
especially the multinationals voluntarily, include nutrition information on their food products.
The Nutritional Facts portions are found at the back of food labels. It provides consumers easy-
to-use nutrition information guide as follows:
- The serving size in both household and metric measures, which shows the amount of product
the people actually eat.
 - The amount of calories from the product is also shown.
- The amounts of nutrients and their % Daily Values (% DV) important to the health of today's
consumers are also listed. The % DV shows how food fits into overall daily needs. For instance,
if the percent daily value of food for fat is 25%, the remaining 75% can be obtained from other
foods eaten throughout the day. These are reference amounts set by the government for daily
intakes.
- The label also tells the number of calories per gram of fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
Understanding the nutrition label in the foods you buy can help you incorporate your favorite
foods into a nutritious diet. Eating should be healthful and enjoyable.
Source: Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology

D. Weight Management

D.1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

The BMI is widely used chart to identify the Body Mass Index status of one’s adult. It
basically determines whether a person is underweight, healthy, overweight, obese and extremely
obese. The results of the index determine the next step of an individual on how they will
maintain their weight. Formula is wt (kg)/ht (m)2

Source: BMI Chart

D.2. Waist Hip Ratio

Source: www.nabtahealth.com
D. 3. Child Growth Standards

The Child Growth Standards table is another tool used to determine to identify the status
of child’s weight if severely underweight, normal or overweight. The result of which gives
Nutritionist, parents or guardian idea on the type of diet or meal that a child should consume to
attain normal weight.
Source: National Nutrition Council

E. Food Exchange List

Food exchange list is another tool that can be used for a quick guide in healthy meal
planning. The weighed foods are categorized to seven groups – vegetable, fruit, milk, rice, meat,
sugar and fat.
References

Drummond, K. E., & Brefere, L. M. (2014). Nutrition for foodservice and culinary professionals,
8th edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Dudek, K. (2019). Gynoid Fat: Function and Possible Role in Fertility.

https://nabtahealth.com/gynoid-fat-function-and-possible-role-in-fertility/

Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2014).

Gumaru, M. (n.d.). Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI). Retrieved August 02, 2020, from
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/tools-and-standard/philippine-dietary-reference-
intakes-pdri

Gumaru, M. (n.d.). What is in your food label? Retrieved August 02, 2020, from
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/57-nutritips/food-and-nutrition/85-what-is-in-your-
food-label

MyPlate partner title Become a MyPlate partner! (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2020, from
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

National Nutrition Council (n.d.) Retrieved August 02, 2020, from

https://www.nnc.gov.ph/downloads/category/34-who-cgs-reference-table-0-71-mos

NNC launches "10 Kumainments" for Pinoys' healthy lifestyle. (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2020,
from https://www.nnc.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/170-nnc-launches-10-
kumainments-for-pinoys-healthy-lifestyle.html

Oldways Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2020, from
https://oldwayspt.org/resources/oldways-mediterranean-diet-pyramid

Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved August 02, 2020, from http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-

dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/Philippines/en

Pinggang Pinoy: Healthy Food Plate for Filipino Adults: Department of Health website. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 02, 2020, from https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/223

Staff, B. (n.d.). BMI Chart. Retrieved August 02, 2020, from https://bmicalculator.mes.fm/bmi-
chart