DOH: Avoid three S’s this season

The Department of Health (DOH) has advised the public to observe a healthy diet while feasting this Yuletide season.

In an interview, DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the public should avoid three S – sweets, salt and sebo (grease) – to protect their selves against illnesses.

“Avoid eating too much salty, sweet and oily food. During Christmas holidays, more people develop high blood sugar and cholesterol and high blood pressure,” he noted.

Domingo maintained it is important to consider having well-balanced meals when preparing food that will be served during parties, Noche Buena and Media Noche. This means having vegetables along with traditional ham and queso de bola.

The official added the public should eat and drink in moderation, especially alcoholic beverages.

He underscored the need to drink lots of water and take lots of fruits to facilitate excretion in the body.

Meanwhile, the EcoWaste Coalition also reminded the public to be conscious with the trash they produce and lessen it this festive season.

It cited the nation’s ballooning waste production estimated at over 40,000 tons daily and the need to seriously cut waste.

“The rash of holiday shopping, gift-giving, partying and other festive activities is expected to generate truckloads of garbage like in past celebrations,” said Daniel Alejandre, the group’s Zero Waste campaigner.

He noted that individual waste generation in Metro Manila is already estimated at 0.2650 to 1.0032 kilograms per person per day.

“We can show Mother Earth some kindness this jolly season by preventing and reducing waste such as single-use plastics,” Alejandre said.

For a plastic-less Christmas and New Year, the group suggested these tips: bring reusable bags and containers on your trip to the wet market, tiangge, department store or shopping mall; refrain from buying over-packaged products; avoid disposable cutlery (spoons, forks, knives) and crockery (dishes, plates, cups); give plastic-free gifts, and opt for home-made reusable holiday decorations.

Biodegradable discards such as fruit and vegetable peelings and food scraps can be composted, while non-biodegradable discards such as aluminum and tin cans, cardboard and paper, glass and plastic bottles and other recyclables can be given to informal waste recyclers or sold to junk shops, the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out.

As Christmastime is a favorite time to buy electronics, the group encouraged consumers to “think environment” before making any new purchase.

To prevent the generation of electronic waste (or e-waste) this Christmas, the group suggested prolonging the life of existing gadgets and other electronics by getting them repaired, refurbished or upgraded instead of replacing them with new ones.