Healthy nutrition is the most important factor for maintaining and keeping good health. Healthy nutrition basically is eating healthy and balance from all the basic food groups which consist of the dairy group, poultry group, fruit group, vegetable group and a little from the fats oil and sweets groups. It is also imperative to drink an adequate amount that corresponds all the dairy guidelines of eight glasses a day which is equivalent to a one-two litres soda per day.
The 38th nutrition month celebration in July this year will focus on vegetables. Vegetables are given importance as the entire nation celebrates Nutrition Month this year because it has been observed that Filipinos these days are eating less and less vegetables.
Based on the food consumption surveys that where conducted, Filipinos on the average eat less vegetables per day in last three years. From 145 grams per day on vegetables in 1978, consumption went down to 110 grams per day in the year 2008.
Some of the reasons for the low consumption of vegetables for the last three years which include influence of family members who do not eat vegetables, dislike for vegetables because of the taste and textures, preference for meat than vegetables, vegetables require more time to prepare and lack of knowledge on the nutrition and health benefits of vegetables among others. Approximately 1.7 million deaths worldwide are contributed to low fruit and vegetable consumption.
Healthy diet can help prevent major non-communicable diseases. We must eat vegetables and fruits everyday to make our body healthy and have resistance to make our daily task successful.
