A good mix of veggies for a balanced meal

Eating a balanced meal is important because it helps nourish the body with the proper nutrients. Meat, rice, and vegetables as well as other food groups are needed to provide energy to the body for one to be in the pink of health. "People are now more conscious of what their eating," says Eric Mallari, brand manager of Mama Sita.

Vegetables are the top choices to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since we live in a tropical country where veggies are always available, dishes with these ingredients can be easily prepared in the comfort of our homes. "The only way we can produce best dishes is by getting the best ingredients," says Eric. This is why Mama Sita took us to the northern provinces of the country to experience a different kind of food trip to see the vegetable farms of Benguet as well as to learn the different ways of preparing vegetables using different mixes and sauces.

Most of the vegetables have high vitamin C content such as tomato, malunggay, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, turnip, sweet potato, potato and pepper. Carotene, which is converted into vitamin A inside the body, is found in yellow and green vegetables such as carrot, squash and sweet potato.

Vegetables also supply the B complex vitamins. Dry beans and peas contain thiamine, while riboflavin (vitamin B2) is present in leafy green vegetables. Asparagus, sweet corn, mushrooms and green peas are ideal sources of niacin–another member of the vitamin B complex group. Vitamin E is found in green vegetables, while vitamin K is in green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and cauliflower. Sweet potato tops is the only vegetable that contains iodine.