On November 13, 2010 Asian Health Services and Filipino Advocates for Justice held Hungry Ka Na Ba? at St Anne's Church of Union City. Unlike many dull fundraising/educational events, this one featured something everyone loves: food!
The theme of the event was about cultural foods we love, and how to enjoy them in ways that maintain health.
A 2009 filipino community health needs assessment survey conducted in Union City indicated many areas of concern such as:
- 50% of respondents were in the overweight to obese range of body mass - the highest BMI of any Asian American group
- Nearly a third of respondents (28%) reported hypertension (high blood pressure)
- 75% of respondents ate at fast food restaurants weekly, and two thirds at fast food up to three times per week
- 11% of respondents had been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 6% were pre-diabetic
- Filipino adolescents have the highest lifetime asthma rates of all Asian Americans (23.3%)
- Respondents favored sedentary activities, and preferred low impact exercise with minimal cardiovascular benefits
- 40% of favorite foods identified by respondents featured meat as the main ingredient
- Respondents reported a hypercholesterolemia rate of 24%, with 21% of those aged 25-39 already suffering from high cholesterol
(for more information on the Filipino Advocacy and Organizing for Health study, which also addresses TB and health care access contact www.filipinos4justice.org)
So- how to address these issues constructively?
No one wants the food police nagging over every bite. I myself often joke that I am "culturally incapable" of dieting. My culture values the art of cooking and the joys of food centered socializing to the extreme. Yet I have found that one can have both an enjoyable healthy lifestyle as well as delicious food. Eating well and regularly exercising in a way of life in my household. That way, when it's time to indulge in a treat or special occasion, we can do so guilt and worry-free.
Hungry Ka Na? showcased healthier versions of traditional foods. The recipes were modified to contain more fresh vegetables, leaner cuts of meat, no refined sugars or transfats, no artificial flavorings, and an emphasis on local and organic ingredients.
Lucky guests like myself chowed down on Mexipino Kilawin (ceviche), Mungo, Menudo, eggplant bistek, tuna pan de sal and more. Here I visit with Jen Lee & John Fong from Asian Health Services
My favorites were the Sotanghon noodle and veggie soup by Penny Baldado of Cafe Gabriela in Oakland (she was a winner in the food voting), and of course: Desserts!! Buko Pandan (jell-o and coconut w lychee-cutting the condensed milk and sugar did not negatively impact the yummy treat) by Elvie Jose and Baked Cassava sprinkled with toasted coconut from the Cruz/Libaste family.
Chef Dominic Ainza, a former youth counselor, and current chef at Mercury Lounge in San francisco provided a celebrity guest appearance to demonstrate several dishes made with local purchases sourced that very morning from the Union City Farmer's Market. He talked about the importance of health, and how his three daughters serve as an inspiration for him to take better care of his own health habits on a regular basis. Die hard foodies will recognize and be impressed by the restaurants Dominic has cooked at, which include Poleng Lounge and Betelnut in SF.
Thanks to Asian Health Services & Washington Hospital for sponsoring such a tasty and fun event to remind us all that health is wealth and does not neccesitate culinary deprivation! Thanks to Filipino Advocates for Justice and their incredible volunteers for conducting the local health survey and continuing to work on food justice and health promotion education.