The saying “health is wealth” holds true, and what we consume plays a big role in our overall well-being. Recently, there has been a growing trend among Filipinos to adopt healthier habits, whether it be through incorporating wellness practices, staying active, or making better food choices.
According to recent reports, 89% of Filipinos have had a moment in the past two years where they realized they needed to improve their diet and overall health. They are now more mindful of taking care of themselves through regular exercise and improved nutrition. With the new year approaching, there’s no better time to begin your journey towards better health.
To get started, Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian Dr. Dexter Macalintal suggests the following simple tips:
TIP 1: SIMPLE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Doing a moderate-intense physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily can go a long way. Start with one day and then try to gradually increase it to five times a week. Be sure to compute your target heart rate, based on your age, and try to consistently reach that to make each physical movement count.
It also helps to find workout styles that you actually enjoy doing. That way, it won’t feel as draining or like a chore. Simple choices such as taking the stairs or taking short walks can be just as effective.
TIP 2: A PROPER DIET
Eating right means going beyond what the stomach and gut want. Instead, choose what is ultimately good for the heart to maintain healthy living. Heart health is typically tied to your blood cholesterol levels and it’s important to eat foods that help you keep control of it.
“A person with an increased level of cholesterol in their blood may lead to a possible condition called atherosclerosis that could develop when different substances form a plaque in one’s arteries and may link to stroke and heart disease,” said Dr. Macalintal.
When planning your dietary meals, it would be best to have a combination of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats to provide the energy, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients essential for daily living. You can have a healthier option for your merienda by having a vegetable burger cooked in canola oil, partnered with wheat bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber as the other ingredients.
TIP 3: USE HEALTHY OILS
Having heart-healthy food means using heart-healthy ingredients, especially with daily essentials like cooking oil. A staple for most Filipino households and dishes, choosing a heart-healthy cooking oil is good in replacing bad fats as this can manage the risk of heart disease and stroke.
“Canola oil with phytosterols is a good option as it has unsaturated fats in it and is known for being better and generally safe for most home cooking uses, which in this case, the dietary meals,” added Dr. Macalintal. “It also has positive effects on the body by providing nutrients such as Vitamin E which helps act as an antioxidant that is highly needed in one’s personal daily life.”
In addition, Dr. Macalintal emphasizes the importance of moderation, variety, and balance in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He suggests incorporating Golden Fiesta Canola Oil into your diet, as it is a healthy cooking oil with 0% cholesterol, 0% trans fat, and phytosterols that can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the body.
As a leading cooking expert, Golden Fiesta Canola Oil is a heart-friendly option that guarantees high-quality and nutritional benefits in every meal. A recent study found that 8 out of 10 doctors recommend Golden Fiesta Canola Oil to their patients, making it a credible and reliable partner in healthy cooking.
