BDH Fights MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
By: Melanie Holt, GPC-BDH | Photo By: Venus Avecilla and Mhark Parchamento | Date: November 7, 2019
FORTIFY YOUR FOOD. In observance of National Food Fortification Day on November 7, 2019, nutritionist-dietitian of Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) Ms. Maria Emilia Eleanor Pimentel reminds patient mothers at the outpatient department about essential nutrients like vitamin A, iron and iodine especially needed by children during their growth and development. She also discussed about the Go, Grow, and Glow food groups.
“We should eat variety of foods which supply the necessary nutrients needed by our body for its healthy functioning,” said Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) nutritionist-dietitian Ms. Maria Emilia Eleanor Pimentel during her lecture at the hospital’s out-patient department on November 7, 2019 in observance National Food Fortification Day.
Ms. Pimentel discussed about the three food groups Go, Grow, and Glow to be eaten for a balanced diet to keep a healthy body. She elaborated that Go foods like rice, fats and sugars supply energy. Grow foods such as meat, milk and legumes give protein. Glow foods like fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals.
She also reminded mothers that some nutrients are decreased or are lost during food preparation or processing, causing micronutrient deficiency. Moreover, she said that the government mandated the addition of one or more essential micronutrients into staple foods through the Food Fortification Law or Republic Act 8976.
As mandated by this law, staple food items should be added with essential nutrients like vitamin A, iron and iodine which are especially needed by children with the purpose of preventing or correcting nutrient deficiency.
