| You're starving after a long day at work, but there's | | | | obesity in developed countries. Even diet sodas aren't |
| nothing in the fridge. So you run to the nearest store | | | | completely safe; the aspartame used in place of |
| and grab something to eat-a bag of chips, a candy | | | | sugar is linked to a number of health problems, |
| bar, or a can of soda. This is what a typical | | | | including cancer. If you need to freshen up, get a |
| afternoon is like for a lot of kids and young adults. | | | | glass of sagot' gulaman-a banana-flavored beverage |
| Unfortunately, it can hardly be called healthy eating. | | | | with bits of gelatin and tapioca balls. It goes well with |
| Junk food is loaded with empty calories-calories that | | | | banana cue, turon, and other light Filipino recipes. |
| have no corresponding nutritional value. Basically, they | | | | Junk: Doughnuts |
| make you fat but don't make you any healthier. | | | | Better: Puto/Kutsinta |
| Before you know it, it can take its toll on your health. | | | | It's nice to have something sweet to go with your |
| If you need to munch in between meals, Filipino food | | | | morning coffee, but there are healthy wys to get |
| is a much better way to fill up. Native snacks are a | | | | that sugar fix. Instead of those fat jelly-filled |
| lot cheaper than store-bought foods, and they can | | | | doughnuts, have a double treat of puto and kutsinta |
| satisfy those cravings without piling on the pounds. | | | | instead. These little cakes are made from rice flour, |
| Here are some Filipino food recipes you can try in | | | | which is infinitely healthier than the white flour used in |
| place of your favorite junk foods. | | | | commercial breads and pastries. Because they are |
| Junk: Burgers | | | | steamed, they retain most of their moisture, making |
| Better: Spring rolls | | | | them more filling as well. To maximize your calorie |
| Many parents argue that burgers aren't all bad. After | | | | savings, skip the cheese and salted egg toppings. |
| all, they're basically a one-dish meal: you've got your | | | | Junk: Milkshakes |
| starch, protein and vitamins in one bite. But you also | | | | Better: Taho |
| get an unhealthy dose of trans fat, the leading cause | | | | Next to soda and beer, milkshakes are one of the |
| of heart disease, obesity, and a host of other | | | | unhealthiest drinks invented in our time. The |
| conditions. A lot of Filipino cooking recipes are also | | | | combination of milk, sugar, artificial flavoring, and |
| one-dish meals, but few of them have as much trans | | | | whipped cream topping pack a dose of fat and |
| fat. With fresh lumpia, you can throw in your choice | | | | calories that will take three hours of exercise to burn |
| of meat and vegetables and control your serving | | | | off. Instead, help yourself to a cup of taho-a warm |
| portions. Cut off even more fat by going vegetarian | | | | drink made from soft tofu, sweetened with sugar |
| or choosing regular flour instead of egg wrappers. | | | | syrup and garnished with sago (tapioca balls). It's a |
| Junk: Candy bars | | | | little heavy, but several times healthier. It's also a lot |
| Better: Banana cue | | | | cheaper-10 pesos will get you a large cup, while a |
| The average candy bar has 300 to 500 calories; a | | | | regular milk shake can cost over 100. |
| two-piece banana cue has 250 or less. That's because | | | | Junk: Ice cream |
| chocolate bars are loaded with high-fat ingredients | | | | Better: Tropical fruits |
| such as nuts, caramel, sugar, and of course, | | | | Often, when you've topped off a great meal with a |
| chocolate. The sugar will give you an energy boost, | | | | bowl of ice cream, you find yourself craving again in |
| but you're not likely to burn all those calories before | | | | less than an hour. That's how this sweet treat works: |
| you're tired again. Bananas are sweet, but its main | | | | it sends a handful of fat down your system, and |
| ingredient is starch, a much better source of energy. | | | | makes you hungry so that you'll want even more. It's |
| Before eating, blot out some of the oil to further | | | | great at children's parties, but on regular days, it only |
| reduce the fat content. | | | | works up your appetite. If you're craving an |
| Junk: Soft drinks | | | | after-meal treat, grab a mango, pineapple or some |
| Better: Sagot' Gulaman | | | | other fruit instead. Mix them together to make your |
| A glass of soda contains the equivalent of 12 | | | | own Filipino desserts recipes. Fresh fruits fill you up |
| tablespoons of sugar-that's more than you consume | | | | fast, so you can curb your cravings for more than |
| in one whole day! Soft drinks are a major cause of | | | | half the day. |