Grace Banal, RND
What did you have for lunch?
What was your ulam?
What vegetables did you have?
And how many cups of rice did you eat?
As a dietitian, part of my job is to ask people what they eat.
Not to judge — but for us to understand how the foods you eat might be affecting your health, and how you feel.
This way, we can come up with clear and practical solutions to your diet-related health problems.
For over a decade analyzing people’s food habits in hospitals, gyms, and clinics, I’ve noticed something interesting:
People are trying to eat healthier by eating less carbs — but end up eating more fat and calories, and too little fiber.
Experts from DOST-FNRI noticed the same thing when they studied the eating habits of more than a thousand working adults across the Philippines.
So if you are also eating pork, chicken, beef, fish, or eggs more frequently, and just around a cup of veggies and fruits, you may have what health experts call a “modern diet.”
From modern diets come modern diseases — obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
For many, these may mean disability, emotional and financial distress, or living in fear of dying early.
This is why today, I want to challenge the way you think about what should be on your plate: