Entomophagy, or the art and culture of eating arthropods (invertebrate) animals that have a jointed body and limb, particularly insects, is actually very common in many parts of the world. To this day, however, entomophagy is not a day to day event because of the unavailability of a regular supply of edible insects and prevalence of other cheaper food alternatives in urban and rural communities.
Recent studies show that a baby’s brain and spinal column may be irreversibly impaired even before a woman realizes that she is pregnant. This can lead to neural tube defects, spina bifida and anercephaly. Based on randomized trials, at least half the cases of neural tube defects could be prevented if women consumed sufficient amount of folate or the B vitamin folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy.
It was in school, where we learned that there are four basic tastes known and they are: sweet, salty, sour and bitter. There are certain foods, however, which clearly do not belong to these groups, that is the savory tastes of meat, chicken, seafood and certain dairy products. That is why scientists and food experts around the world are now using the word umami to describe the savory, meaty and mouthful taste sensation.
If one is aiming for a healthy diet, aim for variety. Choose different colors of fruits and vegetables. Eat different fruits and vegetables daily and better yet choose fresh ones that is free from chemical pesticide residues. Be sure to wash them thoroughly with water before you cook or eat them. Minimize your consumption of processed foods such as sausages, hotdogs or any salted or any chemical preserved food. Dining on fast food outlets on a regular basis is unhealthy because it does more harm than good to your health. Include carbohydrates in your every meal moderately, this means 160 to 200 grams for 2,000 calorie a day diet for adult women and 240 to 300 grams for adult men.
Not everyone knows the enormous benefits derived from Moringa Oleifera locally known as Malunggay or Kamunggay in Philippine dialect. Research had shown that ounce for ounce of Moringa leaves contain seven times the Vitamin C found in oranges, four times the Vitamin A found in carrots, four times the calcium found in milk, three times the potassium found in bananas and two times the protein found in yogurt. For this reason, it has put Moringa as the most nutritious vegetable plant around and has been used as fortificant in noodles, bread, biscuits, delicacies, burgers, hotdogs, porridge and as tea due to its richness in vitamins and minerals.
