As part of the celebration of Filipino Food Month (FFM), and promote the consumption of locally-produced healthy food among children, a Kids Nutrition Session was held, April 22, at the Igorot Garden, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) – CAR with the KADIWA Ng Pangulo as exhibitors.
Led by Sherilyn B. Balauro, a registered nutritionist-dietitian and a faculty member of the Department of Human Nutrition at Benguet State University (BSU), she discussed various signs of good nutrition in children and their nutritional requirements, as well as how indigenous foods and recipes may be used to improve their growth, development, and appetite.
“Naka-focus po tayo sa mga bata. Why children? You know very well that we need to invest in our children kasi sila nga ‘yung ating– sabi ni Ka Jose Rizal that they are the future. Try to imagine ‘pag ang mapo-produce nating mga bata ay mga weakling or medyo mga sickly, mukhang mako-compromise ang future natin,” Balauro said.
According to her research, some signs of good nutrition among children are: having normal body mass index (BMI), firm and developed muscles, good posture, healthy skin, smooth and glossy hair, clear eyes, alert facial expression and good disposition, uninterrupted sleep, good digestion, and good appetite.
Balauro also disclosed the nutritional requirements for children, such as protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, and Potassium. Hence, bringing up the Filipino Food Pyramid and Pinggang Pinoy Model consisting of Go, Grow, and Glow foods, encouraging healthy eating habits.
She gave utmost importance to indigenous foods and crops found in the region that can meet the needed nutrients of children, such as Aggey or Jobstears, Barangkas or Pomelo, Engwad or Spanish Needles, Amaranth, Garden Nightshade, Variable Leaf Yellow Cress, Legume, Sweet Potato, Chickpea, Agubangbang, Alugbati and some more.
“These indigenous foods, our native foods, are very rich sources of ng mga vitamins na ito and so with minerals, as well as antioxidants and phytochemicals,” she added.
In addition, Balauro introduced recipes developed by students and faculty of BSU that may include the abovementioned indigenous foods and crops in making foods for children. She also encouraged parents to make food presentations more appealing, as kids are visual learners.
At the end of the session, the public had the chance to ask questions and state their suggestions, all of which Balauro accommodated.
With the theme “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino: Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” the Filipino Food Month 2025 activity ended on April 24 at the said venue.- Baguio City Public Information Office
