The 49th Nutrition Month Celebration in July may be over in many local government units, but everyday remains a nutrition advocacy and proper nutrition day. So we continue to advocate the consumption of a healthy diet, if only to prevent malnutrition and a costly consequence of ill-health. However, how can many be able to afford the soaring prices of commodities? The prices of vegetables and fruits which are the best sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber have gone so high that even an employee with a regular salary and a family of say, 3-4 members, can hardly afford it. How much more with the unemployed, the bigger families and the poor? In a common market a few days ago, not the Trading Post nor supermarket, the wombok cost P170 per kilo, Baguio beans at P200, carrots at P250, native lakatan at P150. By this time, the goods may have become more non-affordable. Yet, we can easily say, eat five (5) servings of fruits and vegetables everyday, and eat a variety! How much will a healthy diet cost from P242.53 in 2020? The 2023 Nutrition Month Talking Points cited a 2021 PSA data of a family of 5 needing P12,082 per month to meet their basic food and non-food needs. A budget of P1,212.65 per day is needed for a healthy diet. How many can afford this? More and more families will not be able to meet such.
It is high time we raise our own food while economizing more. Be wise spenders. Avoid food wastage, buy only what is necessary not just food but in many other stuff. Plan meals to avoid extra purchases. Go for legumes more often as this can substitute meat and can feed more. Go for one-dish meals like monggo with malunggay or other leaves with or without meat slices, chicken tinola with added veggies. Lessen frying to minimize use of oils. Do away with sugary foods. Cook your own food as dining out is more expensive. For the longer term, consider planting your own vegetables regardless of where you stay. Vertical gardening should be a must in urban areas. Ask permission to cultivate vacant areas near you, that you may plant more and raise, at least your viand. Those with extra weight should have more reason to eat less. Mothers who give birth should strive for exclusive breastfeeding. I wonder how many will be willing to sacrifice getting new clothes or other stuff and even their pets which also need to be fed, just so the budget for food will be enough. Give up your vices. Walk as much as you can rather than pay for fare for short distances or spend for car fuel. Sure, all may be easier said than done but why not start?
At the government level, I can only wish that the population program succeeds, government funds be managed well and the agriculture be taken seriously so that food production costs are lessened thereby cheaper food prices in the market. May the rising fuel prices be remedied. May unemployment be truly addressed. For as long as these issues exacerbate, more Filipinos will become malnourished and get sick.