Role of alternate foods in the rural food consumption patterns in the Philippines

• Main Authors: Panlasiqui, L.N, De leon, S.Y, Magluyan, V.B, Abalos, M.U, Chavez, A.B, Reatinaza, A.R, Rivamonte, R.R
• Format: Publication
• Language: English
• Published: Diliman, Quezon City (Philippines) 01.05.1985
• Subjects: ALIMENTOS; CONSOMMATION ALIMENTAIRE; CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS; FILIPINAS; PHILIPPINES; PRODUIT ALIMENTAIRE

Results of the survey on alternate foods in the different regions and provinces of the Philippines showed that a total of 1,286 alternate foods were identified (728 animals and 558 plants) by interview and checklist methods. The food sources were prioritized based on the five major nutrient deficiencies existing in the Philippines today namely: calories, protein, vitamin A, iron and iodine. Non-nutrient parameters such as availability and seasonability were also considered. Methods of preparation were studied of which boiling is the most popular method of cooking. Methods of preservation include fermentation, salting, smoking, sundrying and the like. Alternate foods were found to be consumed not only by adults but also given to infants and children in various amounts and forms. The indicated findings and information gathered present some promising notes that in the Philippines, there are indeed abundant plants and animals that can be used for food. If these sources are properly selected and intensively studied in terms of nutritional composition, toxic components, production, consumption and storage potentials, they can substitute the more expensive and conventional sources of food and ultimately help alleviate the food shortage and consequently the malnutrition problem in the country. Furthermore, some of these alternate food identified such as seaweeds and some tubers have export potentials considering that these foods are very abundant all over the country and can be preserved and processed in large scales. This move can severely help alleviate the existing economic problem of the country today