Are you looking for a healthy and nutritious meal? Look no further than the Filipino diet! Here are ten healthy Filipino food dishes that you should try.

Filipino food is a delightful blend of indigenous and foreign influences, known for its healthy ingredients and amazing flavors. Some must-try Filipino dishes include Kare-Kare, lumpia, adobo, and pancit. These dishes are so fulfilling and satisfying, perfect for any time of the day. If you’re curious about exploring Filipino flavors, you should definitely give these scrumptious recipes a try!

Filipino cuisine has a way of bringing pure joy. Whether you’re yearning for a hearty meal or something light, you’ll find something to delight your taste buds in Filipino food. From fresh and wholesome dishes to lovingly prepared snacks, these ten healthy Filipino foods will surely bring a smile to your face.

Let’s dive into some of the most popular healthy Filipino dishes and discover their fantastic health benefits.

Top 10 Healthy Filipino Food

The traditional Filipino diet is renowned for its abundance of nutrient-rich green leafy vegetables, such as kangkong and malunggay, along with an assortment of fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and bananas. Additionally, it features a variety of seafood, including fish, shrimp, and crabs, as well as a selection of meats like pork, chicken, and beef. Eggs are also a common dietary staple, providing a good source of protein. Furthermore, the diet incorporates healthy fats such as coconut milk and oils, while protein-rich sources like tofu and beans contribute to sustained energy levels throughout the day.

Here are ten healthy Filipino food dishes that you should try:

Chicken Tinola (Ginger-Garlic Chicken Soup)

Tinola is a flavorful chicken broth soup originating from the Philippines and is typically infused with a generous amount of ginger and garlic. This beloved soup encompasses a wide array of regional variations across the Philippines. One of its key ingredients is malunggay leaves, which are also known as moringa and can be found fresh or frozen in Asian grocery stores. If malunggay leaves are not available, a suitable substitute would be bok choy or spinach. For an even more delightful flavor, consider increasing the amount of garlic and fish sauce in the soup. This simple and nourishing chicken soup is traditionally served with jasmine rice, quinoa, or brown rice.

Gising Gising (Winged Bean in Coconut Milk)

Sigarilyas, also known as winged beans, are a nutritious and versatile ingredient commonly used in Filipino cuisine. A popular dish featuring sigarilyas is “Gising Gising,” which translates to “Wake up! Wake up!” in Tagalog. This spicy recipe combines sigarilyas with coconut milk, chilies, and lean minced beef or pork. The inclusion of bird’s eye chile gives the dish its name and adds a fiery kick to the flavor profile. Not only does this dish pack a spicy punch, but it also showcases a clever technique for preparing winged beans, known for their rich vitamin A.

Ginisang Ampalaya (Stir-Fry Bittergourd is a healthy Filipino food )

A vegetable stir-fry featuring an abundance of bitter gourds, renowned as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available due to its high content of vitamins C and A. This dish typically showcases the bitterness of the gourds, complemented by the addition of egg, tomatoes, onions, and occasionally garlic, shrimp, or pork, creating a flavorful and nutritious meal.

Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Spring Rolls)

The origins of these spring rolls, known as lumpiang sariwa in the Filipino language, can be traced back to Chinese immigrants and traders who introduced them to the Philippines. These fresh spring rolls typically consist of a combination of vegetables, meat, or seafood, wrapped in a thin layer of lettuce.

Nilaga (Beef Broth Stew)

This nourishing beef bone soup is incredibly hearty and comforting! To ensure it is as healthy as possible, start by removing any excess fat, oil, or contaminants from the initial beef and bone boil. Next, add onions, potatoes, pechay (also known as bok choy), peppercorns, and, if desired, cabbage and carrot to the stew. This soup is a beloved staple in our household, particularly cherished during the rainy season for its warmth and heartiness.

Sinigang (Sour Soup is a healthy Filipino food)

Sinigang, a popular Filipino dish, is a delectable and nutritious sour soup made with a tamarind base. This flavorful soup is typically cooked with a variety of protein options such as pork ribs, beef ribs, shrimp, fish, or chicken, and an assortment of healthy vegetables including okra, gabi (taro root), long beans, onions, tomatoes, and siling haba (a mildly spicy, green chili). Its tantalizing taste and vibrant mix of flavors make it a crowd-pleaser for people from different cultural backgrounds. Often likened to Tom Yum soup due to its sourness and vegetable content, Sinigang boasts its own unique and delightful character.

Ensaladang Lato (Sea Grape Salad)

Enseladang lato, a delightful Filipino dish, features a unique ingredient you’re sure to enjoy. This salad incorporates umibudo, a rare edible seaweed known for its small grape-like appearance and rich seafood umami flavor. Similar to the popular Japanese sushi ingredient, umibudo is typically enjoyed raw or wrapped in nori and rice. For this Filipino salad, the umibudo is combined with vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar, and mixed with onions and tomatoes to create a refreshing and savory dish. The sea grapes burst with flavor in your mouth, making this salad a delightful and quick treat to savor, ready in just 10 minutes.

Pinakbet (Vegetable Stir-Fry is a healthy Filipino food)

The famous and delectable Pinakbet is a flavorful and popular Filipino dish known for its health benefits. This traditional Filipino cuisine is a vegetable stew that offers both great taste and nutritional value, making it an excellent choice for those looking to improve their health and manage their weight.

While there is no strict recipe for Pinakbet, it typically includes a medley of vegetables, deep-fried pork belly, and shrimp paste. For a healthier option, you can opt to exclude the pork belly and prepare a vegan version of this flavorful dish.

Despite being a health-conscious choice, Pinakbet does not compromise on taste. The combination of vegetables produces a delightful blend of textures, offering a satisfying mix of soft, crunchy, and earthy flavors, complemented by a hint of bitterness from the bittermelon.

This simple yet traditional Filipino delicacy, Pinakbet, is prepared in a manner that preserves its authenticity and health benefits, making it a beloved and nutritious addition to Filipino cuisine.

Adobong Manok (Filipino Chicken Adobo)

Chicken Adobo is a highly cherished dish with unique variations and cooking methods across different regions. Marinating the chicken overnight is recommended as it allows the meat to tenderize and absorb the rich array of spices. Adobong Manok delights the palate with its well-balanced blend of savory, sweet, tangy, and soy flavors. This delectable dish pairs wonderfully with both plain rice and Sinangag, a Filipino garlic fried rice. The tender texture of the chicken makes every bite a delightful experience. For those seeking a healthy diet, mastering the art of cooking Chicken Adobo is a must, as it stands as one of the cherished and nutritious Filipino culinary delights.

Laing (Filipino Taro Leaves In Coconut Milk)

Laing, a beloved dish from the Bicol region in the Philippines, holds a special place in the local culinary scene. This creamy, coconut milk-infused delight has generated quite a bit of buzz, and rightfully so. Embracing a veggie-centric meal doesn’t equate to bidding farewell to indulgence entirely, and that’s where Laing shines.

While there are numerous ways to whip up this dish, connoisseurs advocate for the traditional technique of simmering all the ingredients in one pot. This slow-cooking method results in a harmonious melding of flavors and ensures that the taro leaves achieve a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Laing isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it also packs a nutritional punch. The star of the show, the taro leaf, boasts a myriad of health benefits. Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, it stands as a wholesome addition to any diet. If taro leaves are scarce, dried versions can serve as a worthy substitute.

Takeaway: Top 10 Healthy Filipino Food Dishes

Feel free to explore the selection of the top 10 nutritious Filipino food dishes provided and savor their delectable tastes while benefiting from their wholesome attributes. You might even discover a new culinary delight to add to your list of favorites!