Promoting vegetable consumption

March 12, 2011, 1:21pm

MANILA, Philippines — The government is embarking on a campaign to encourage Filipino households to eat more vegetables, in light of a recent survey, a part of the 7th National Nutrition Survey, that showed a downtrend in vegetable consumption in Filipino households over the years. Vegetables contribute 34 to 54 percent of Vitamin C to the diet of Filipino families, except pre-school children, while fruits give 19 to 29 percent. The bulk of Vitamin C intake of pre-school children comes from milk and its products, contributing 33.3 percent.

Due to the downtrend, there is now a more aggressive promotion of vegetable consumption among the public. Backyard or home gardening – in vacant spaces, pots, or bottles – is encouraged. The Department of Education has come up with a program allowing schoolchildren to plant vegetables in campuses which they can harvest and bring home.

Vitamin C-rich vegetables include leafy greens like malunggay, ampalaya, petsay, saluyot, as well as red and green pepper, sitsaro, and cabbage. It is said that malunggay has seven times more Vitamin C than oranges and is rich in iron, potassium, and multivitamins, especially Vitamin A. It can lower blood pressure and promotes good sleep. Red cabbage contains phytochemicals with disease-fighting properties collectively known as polyphenols. It is low in calories, a good source of dietary fiber, and a rich source of several vitamins.

Vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant. It helps protect against cancer, heart disease, and stress, and it is part of the cellular chemistry that provides energy. It is essential for making the health of cartilage, joints, skin, and blood vessels. Vitamin C helps in maintaining a healthy immune system, aids in neutralizing pollutants, is needed for antibody production, and acts to increase the absorption of nutrients.

Filipinos should consume more vegetables and there is a growing consciousness on health and wellness, as seen in the proliferation of salad bars, supermarkets selling vegetable preparations, and restaurants having vegetable salad on their menus. The government campaign should help make vegetable more readily available to Filipino families.

Source: Manila Bulletin