The Philippines has officially joined the international "Meatless Monday" movement, a health campaign launched in the US in 2003, ABS-CBNNews.com reports. Entitled "Luntiang Lunes," the local chapter, headed by Dr. Custer Deocaris of the Department of Science and Technology, hopes to help Filipinos live a healthier lifestyle by encouraging them to skip meat and eat more veggies every Monday. Each Filipino's recommended vegetable intake per year is 152 pounds, says Dr. Deocaris, and this campaign's goal is to help you reach it. Eating healthy can "reduce malnutrition and obesity in the country," he is quoted as saying on the "Meatless Monday" website.
According to Dr. Deocaris, the Philippines currently has one of the lowest vegetable consumption rates in Southeast Asia. In 2003, for example, the National Nutritional Council logged Filipinos as only consuming 40 kilograms (around 88 pounds) per person annually.
"Filipinos have also grown to be the third 'fattest population' in Asia behind its opulent neighbors, Malaysia and Singapore," he is quoted as saying on MB.com.ph.
If you're joining "Luntiang Lunes" but are having trouble coming up with veggie dishes for you and your children, check out these meat-free recipes:
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Need more reasons to switch to a veggie diet? Read this article on FN:
(Photo by saaleha courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons)
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