Making Better Choices Your New Normal: Nutrition Month
How healthy do you think you are? Are you someone who watches what you eat, or are you more of a ‘grab an unhealthy snack and hope for the best’ kind of person? We get it, it’s not always easy to implement or maintain healthy eating as a regular part of your life, and there are many factors that affect a person’s ability to eat nutritious, healthy food. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected growing, production and delivery of fresh food to many nations, including the Philippines. Another factor that affects good nutrition is cost. Fresh food is often notoriously expensive, and much of a person’s wage can be spent on sustaining a family. Surprisingly, 64% of Filipinos cannot afford a healthy diet, which can obviously lead to serious implications on nutrition and overall health. Despite this, more than 57% of Filipinos have an optimistic outlook towards their health, which is encouraging.
July is Nutrition Month, aiming to raise awareness of the specific diets needed to combat illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and certain types of cancers, and also how food can be the first line of defence against certain illnesses. The month offers much to the general citizen as well as advocates who want better standards for food production and more affordable, healthy choices being readily available to all. The theme for Nutrition Month 2022 is “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon!” (New normal nutrition, let’s work out the solution together).
So what simple things can you do, to improve your overall health? With a little effort, healthy eating is possible for everyone. First, you can check your diet. Are there lots of processed non fresh foods? How do they make you feel? Where does your food come from? What about starting a small, kitchen garden to ensure that you have the basics? Shopping locally, and buying seasonal produce can also improve your nutrition, as well as supporting producers in your area.
Did you know that your genes can play an important part in your health? For those people who really want to invest in their health and nutrition, there are a number of products from EasyDNA Philippines that can help to improve these aspects of your life. The tests include:
Genetic Predisposition Health Test: By looking at your DNA profile, this test will allow you to establish whether you have a genetic predisposition toward developing any one of 34 diseases and conditions, including Type 1 and 2 diabetes, and obesity.
DNA Diet and Healthy Weight Test: This test can help you understand why you can’t keep off those extra pounds, providing you the personalised nutrition and fitness recommendations you need to get your weight to budge – and keep it off. Your results will also reveal which nutrients and vitamins you are in need of.
Lactose Intolerance Test: Did you know that dairy foods can have a negative affect on some people’s health. If you feel bloated, uncomfortable or suffer from indigestion after consuming dairy products, you may have an intolerance to lactose.
Celiac Disease Genetic Testing: Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder that can be controlled by changes to your diet.
We are all different, with varying dietary likes and needs, but we can all take small (or big!) steps to making improvements to our nutrition. Nutrition Month is the prefect time to make a change for the better, and to ensure you lead a happier, healthier life. Make healthy your new normal this July!
