Amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19, the national government issued the Proclamation No. 922 declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines. In line with this, various Local Government Units (LGUs) imposed the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to their respective LGUs to control the spread of the virus. To secure the nutrition of the public even during this pandemic, the National Nutrition Cluster issued the Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 01 to serve as guidelines in providing nutrition services to the community. First on these guidelines is the continued promotion of good nutrition by emphasizing the importance of consuming variety of nutritious foods following the 10 Kumainments to help strengthen the body’s immune system against COVID-19.

The 10 Kumainments is the popular version of the revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) that consists of shorter and simpler messages for better recall and understanding. Eating healthy and nutritious foods is one of the best way to ensure that your body has greater possibility in preventing the acquisition of the virus. Below are the Kumainment numbers 1-8 that will serve as your guide to healthy eating even during the period of quarantine:

Kumainment Number 1: Kumain ng iba’t-ibang pagkain – Remember that there is no single food that contains all the nutrients that the body needs so an individual must consume variety of foods every day to meet the daily nutritional needs of the body.

Kumainment Number 2: Sa unang 6 months ni baby, breastfeeding lamang; mula 6 months, bigyan din siya ng ibang angkop na pagkain – Breastmilk contains all the nutrients needed by the infants during their first 6 months of life. Since infants also need to protect themselves against the virus, breastmilk is vital to their health as it contains antibodies to help boost their immune system.

Kumainment Number 3: Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw-araw – Consume variety of fruits and vegetables daily to ensure that the body will acquire all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables are great immune system boosters to fight off COVID-19.

Kumainment Number 4: Kumain ng isda, karne at ibang pagkaing may protina – The body needs to keep strong especially during pandemics and eating protein food sources is important because it helps build and repair body mass and tissues. Aside from this, protein also helps fight viral and bacterial infections.

Kumainment Number 5: Uminom ng gatas; kumain ng pagkaing mayaman sa calcium – Milk, shellfish and small fishes are good sources of Calcium which is important in maintaining the bones and teeth healthy. Calcium is also an important mineral that helps the cell to absorb Vitamin C and other nutrients more efficiently.

Kumainment Number 6: Tiyaking malinis at ligtas ang ating pagkain at tubig – It is important to ensure that your family will consume clean and safe food and water during this crisis because nobody wants to take the risk in acquiring food and water- borne diseases such as diarrhea.

Kumainment Number 7: Gumamit ng Iodized Salt – Continue the usage of iodized salt to avoid obtaining Iodine Deficiency Disorders especially for the pregnant and lactating mothers to ensure the health of the baby.

Kumainment Number 8: Hinay-hinay sa maaalat, mamantika at matatamis – High intake of salty, fried and sugar-rich foods can result to cardiovascular disease or other non-communicable diseases. Remember that people with pre-existing conditions during this pandemic are more prone in acquiring the virus because they have weaker immune system.

During this time of pandemic, a healthy body and strong immune system are the best protection the body could get to combat against the COVID-19 Virus. With the guidance of the Kumainments 1-8 listed above, you will be ensured that even you are at the comfort of your home, the proper and optimum nutrition will still be achieved.

NO I Angelica O. Pajulas