MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon has conducted a four-day “Training on Raw Vegan Diet“ for nutritionists of the Department of Education, canteen managers and canteen owners for the benefit of school children and create awareness on the importance of good nutrition for the enhancement of their growth and development using available vegetable and fruits that are in season.

The seminar was recently held at Ciudad Christhia Resort in San Mateo, Rizal from October 22-25, 2019.

“For our children to achieve their full potential, it is important that they eat healthy foods because it provides the building blocks for lifetime health and well-being. Rapid physical growth and development happens during school years. Children need adequate intake of energy and nutrients including eating a nutritious breakfast at home and a healthy lunch provided by school canteens,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.

“Hindi lamang mga bata ang dapat magkaroon ng tamang kalusugan at nutrisyon, it should begin during conception. Dapat ang mga magulang din ay nasa wastong kalusugan and should practice healthy lifestyle especially when a mother is pregnant. She should eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and take appropriate vitamins and mineral supplementation,” Janairo said.

“Napakaimportante ang pre-conception nutrition before pregnancy. What you eat can influence your health during pregnancy kasama na dito ang kalusugan ng baby.”

The raw vegan training for school nutritionists, canteen managers and owners teaches participants in the preparation of a raw vegan diet, especially in schools to provide a selection of healthy and organic food for the consumption of school children.”

It underlines the use of whole, organic, unprocessed, plant-based foods artistically designed to appeal to children’s taste using local crops available in each municipality.

Participants were also taught on the proper use of kitchen equipment, knife skills and food safety and food preparation including saving left-over food and vegetable and production of healthy livelihood for healthy consumption.

According to Dr. Marilou R. Espiritu, Regional Non-Communicable Disease Cluster Head, a raw vegan diet combines veganism and foodism. “It excludes all food and producers of animal origin, any food that is processed or altered from its natural state and food cooked from high temperatures,” Espiritu said.

“It is usually rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains and legumes and eating a raw vegan diet carries with it the benefits that includes improved digestion, more energy, weight loss, improved health and lower the risks of having diabetes,” she added.

According to Director Janairo, the “Training on Raw Vegan Diet” will be rolled-out in all the provinces of the region to train all nutritionists, canteen managers and owners, including barangay nutrition scholars and other health workers involved in the planning and preparation of food. (Glen Ramos/BC/IA/CNS)