Party Tips for Filipinos

Choose the smallest plate set out at parties. Hosts often encourage their guests to try all the dishes that they have prepared. This can be very tempting, but using large plates set out at parties can lead to eating large amounts of food. Using a small plate can help control your portions.

Skip the fried and oily foods. Grilled meat and seafood paired with any vegetables are great choices to fill up your plate because they will make you feel satisfied and full. Popular fried food such as lumpias (loom-pias) and chicharon, are high in fat and can easily lead to overeating because of their small size.

Substitute noodles for white rice. Noodles take up a lot more space on the plate and make you feel fuller in little amounts than rice.

Eat fruits for dessert. Fruits such as watermelon, papaya, mango, and pineapple, are naturally sweet and are great substitutes for classic Filipino desert such as puto, leche flan, bibingka, kusinta (ku-shin-ta), and cassava cake. The majority of these desserts contain either glutinous rice or coconut, which cause blood sugar levels to rise high quickly.

Be social. Going to a party is a great opportunity to socialize with others to create new friendships. Try singing karaoke, and watch Tagalog movies/TV shows with friends and family. These activities are great ways of distracting you from eating a lot of food at the party.

Talk to the host about your eating habits. It is fine to inform the host about your conscientious eating habits. The host will understand your situation and will do their best to accommodate your needs.

Take party food in doggy bags. The host is often open to let party-goers take party food home at the very moment they leave the party. Take some home and share it amongst family and friends, as leftovers. These leftovers can even be packed as ba-own (ba-own) for work. This will save you lots of time, cooking and preparing food at home as well.

After a hectic week of working, there is no better way to socialize with family and friends than through a party. The following are helpful tips

on maintaining healthy eating habits yet still enjoy the party.

This tip sheet is prepared by UHN volunteer and Ryerson Nutrition student, Martin Moraleja. ©2014

Resources:

1. Asian Flavours Diabetes Cookbook- Simple, Fresh Meals Perfect for EverydayAuthor: Corinne Trang (2012)Prices: $22.95 (Indigo), $16.75 (Amazon)

2. My Food Guide (multilingual tool based from Canada’s Food Guide)http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php

3. Glycemic Index of Foodshttp://www.glycemicindex.com/foodSearch.php