NNC: Increase your vegetable consumption

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Friday 6th of July 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, July 6 (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 3 advised the public to increase its vegetable consumption to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.

Low fruit and vegetable intake is among the top 10 selected risk factors for global mortality estimated to cause 14 percent of gastrointestinal cancer deaths, 11 percent of ischemic heart disease deaths, and 9 percent of stroke deaths, said outgoing Regional Nutrition Coordinator (RNC) Maria Vicenta Magpantay.

Some 1.7 million deaths attributable to low fruit and vegetable consumption.

“And the recommended intake of vegetables and fruits per day is 400 grams which is five servings per day with three servings of veggies per day. One serving requires one cup raw leafy vegetables/25 grams, ½ cup raw non-leafy veggies/40 grams, and ½ cup cooked leafy/non-leafy vegetable/45 grams,” she added.

The latest figures conducted by the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) shows that in Region 3, the one-day per capita vegetable consumption is 110 grams.

“This data is good news, but we should increase this for us to be healthier and prevent unwanted diseases,” she said.

Magpantay added that “the health benefits that we can get from eating vegetables include decrease bone loss, help lower calorie intake, it doesn’t contain cholesterol, and contain antioxidants and protectants.

She even encourage people especially mothers to help their kids eat veggies making it as a main stay of family meals, mothers should also involve children in gardening, marketing and preparing veggies, keep the presentation of the food interesting so as to encourage children to eat it. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)