Healthy Diet Safeguards Against COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic intensifies the Philippines' battle against 'Double Burden of Malnutrition'. This is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'the coexistence of undernutrition along with overweight and obesity, or diet-related non-communicable diseases, within individuals, households and populations, and across the life course.'

The limited distribution and access to food supplies aggravate the plight of poor and low income households to sustain each person's required nutrients through healthy meals. On the other hand, home confinement due to the mandated community quarantine may cause more people to not only restrict their physical activities but also to overeat and/or consume more food with empty calories as part of coping with stress and/or boredom.

Given the importance of maintaining healthy diets to sustain our health and immunity against viruses and bacteria, we should turn to the practice of Pinggang Pinoy® as a viable safeguard to protect our family from diseases.

Mag-Pinggang Pinoy® Tayo!

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) introduced 'Mag-Pinggang Pinoy® Tayo 7-Day Menu Challenge' as a way to encourage homemakers to serve a variety of balanced meals to their families. Homemakers could access the Mag-Pinggang Pinoy® Tayo 7-Day menu plan at www.ajinomoto.com.ph and facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH. This is part of the company's 'Eat Well, Live Well, Stay Well' campaign to provide Filipino families with practical tips on proper nutrition,  recipe menu and fitness activities to cope, stay well, and enjoy life despite the current COVID-19 situation.

Ajinomoto's 7-day menu plan is composed of complete meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each meal provides recipe suggestions for healthy and delicious Pinggang Pinoy® recipes that are easy to prepare and affordable, too. These recipes are simple yet healthy solutions to serve enjoyable Pinggang Pinoy® meals. Homemakers could make use of their extra time to purchase widely available and inexpensive fruits and vegetables to complement rice beyond the usual supply of canned goods. Ajinomoto's recipes make common ingredients more palatable like Tofu Sisig, Meaty Pechay Picadillo, Pork Tapa and Tomatoes, Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote, Sweet and Sour Galunggong, and many more. Here are three recipe samplers done in three easy steps:

Pork Tapa with Tomatoes.

Pork Tapa with Tomatoes

1. Marinate pork in water, sugar, soy sauce, pepper and SARSAYA® Oyster Sauce overnight. 

2. Saute onion, garlic, and pork.

3. Pour the marinate mixture and boil until the mixture is thick.

Sweet and Sour Fish.

Sweet and Sour Galunggong
1. In a pan, fry the galunggong. Set aside. In the same pan, saute bell pepper and carrots.
2. Add soy sauce and water and cornstarch slurry. Season with salt, ground pepper, and AJI-GINISA® . Let it boil until sauce thickens.
3. Add the fried galunggong to the SARSAYA® Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Meaty Pechay Picadillo.

Meaty Pechay Picadillo
1. Saute onion, garlic, and ground pork, and mix in carrots, green peas, and pechay.
2. Season with pepper, soy sauce, and AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix.
3. Cook for one minute more.

For full recipes and for more information about Ajinomoto and its products, visit www.ajinomoto.com.ph and facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH.