Herbalife, a leading health and wellness company in the Philippines, promotes Nutrition Month by sharing expert tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The company emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition, an active lifestyle, and personalized plans for overall well-being. In the Philippines, common nutritional deficiencies are often due to diets high in carbohydrates, salty and oily foods, which can lead to higher rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Herbalife’s nutrition experts provide practical advice on avoiding these pitfalls and maintaining a balanced diet.
Part of Herbalife’s core approach to nutrition emphasizes the importance of macro ratios, eating on time, and aligning dietary intake with the body’s needs. The three macronutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, all of which are essential in creating energy for various bodily functions and their growth and repair.
Proteins are crucial for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes and hormones, and supporting immune function. These can be found in lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, and legumes. Meanwhile, carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. They can be found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Lastly, fats store energy, protect vital organs, and aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Healthy fats are found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and fish oils.
Maintaining this balance can be challenging, especially for busy Filipinos. Susan Bowerman, Senior Director of worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife and Chair of the Herbalife Dietetic Advisory Board and Outer Nutrition Advisory Board, recommends meal planning to minimize the stress of finding healthy food choices. Planning meals at the beginning of the week saves time and helps avoid unhealthy snacks.
Variety ensures that meals have ideal amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. To simplify meal planning, Herbalife created a meal selection tool matching health goals with nutrition needs. This tool features examples of meal plans that help individuals understand their daily protein and nutrient requirements based on their goals. It also includes an illustrated meal builder with sample menu options.
In addition to meal planning, managing portion sizes is crucial for a healthy diet. Herbalife recommends measuring your servings according to the recommended dietary guidelines. Generally, protein portions should be the size of your palm, carbohydrates should be the size of your fist, and fats should be the size of your thumb. It is also important to remember that you should eat slowly and pay attention to your body. It would be best to stop eating when you feel satisfied, not when you are overly full.
Communities also help people manage their health, as seen in the Look AHEAD Study, which found that community programs are more effective than dieting alone. Through these programs, participants share their knowledge with other community members and develop a sense of universality by understanding that their problems are not unique.
This finding is mirrored by Herbalife’s Power of Community Survey in Asia Pacific, where 97% of Filipinos feel that community support is crucial in their health and wellness journey. Herbalife champions this by fostering a supportive community that encourages individuals to stay healthy.
In the Philippines, the positive impact of community influence can be seen in Herbalife’s Nutrition Clubs, which are locally owned and operated by Herbalife Independent Distributors. In these clubs, distributors coach their customers to make healthier choices stay on the path to better wellness, and share nutrition information and products. Many Clubs offer tailored services to meet specific customer needs. For example, some Clubs organize Weight Loss Challenges, host neighborhood walks, or facilitate Fit Clubs that integrate fitness activities with nutrition guidance.
To start your health journey, reach out to your local Herbalife Independent Distributors or visit Herbalife Philippines.
