Life as a Foreigner in the Philippines: A Quest for Healthy Filipino Cuisine
Living in the Philippines presents a unique challenge for individuals with specific dietary preferences. As a foreigner, I find myself navigating a culinary landscape that, while rich and diverse, does not always meet my health-conscious criteria. My personal preferences—shying away from refined sugar, excessive salt, fats, and oils—mean that many traditional Filipino dishes do not fit the bill. This essay explores my journey as a foreigner in the Philippines and my experiences with the local cuisine.
Refined Sugar and My Dilemma
My disdain for refined sugar is a significant factor in my dietary choices. I avoid dishes that are heavily sweetened, and this preference eliminates the majority of Filipino cuisine options. Pork, which is a staple in Philippine cooking, is another favorite that I abstain from, making it even more challenging to find dishes to my liking. The result is that the local cuisine that I encounter often falls short of my nutritional standards.
Healthy Eating While Living Abroad
While in the Philippines, my commitment to a healthy lifestyle drives me to prepare my own meals. I opted to move into a home equipped with a bread maker and a small oven to indulge in homemade wholemeal bread. The process of kneading dough, watching it rise, and eventually baking it to perfection has become a cherished routine. The aroma that fills the kitchen during the baking process is reminiscent of traditional bakeries from my home country, far from the overly sweetened products that I encountered in the Philippines.
The Starbucks Plain Bagel Phenomenon
When it comes to cafes in the Philippines, my primary go-to is Starbucks. This may sound counterintuitive given that Starbucks is often viewed with suspicion in non-Philippine and non-American markets. However, the reason for my preference is simple: Starbucks is the only cafe where I can find a snack that is not overloaded with sugar. The Starbucks plain bagel has become my go-to comfort food when I need a quick and healthy meal on the go.
The Decline of Traditional Bread in the Philippines
The transition from traditional bread to overly sweetened cakes is a noticeable trend in the Philippines. Local bakeries and cafes now prioritize the production of sugar-laden products over the wholesome, hearty bread that I strive to recreate. The absence of the traditional bread aroma, a hallmark of home or quaint bakeries in my home country, is a clear indicator of this shift. The sickly-sweet smell that permeates the air in some areas is a stark contrast to the rich, comforting aroma that I long for.
The Culinary Relevance of Bangkok
My deep yearning for healthier, less refined versions of Filipino cuisine is further underscored by my travels. Each time I return home from the Philippines, I invariably visit Bangkok as a layover. Bangkok boasts some of the world's finest restaurants, offering authentic cuisine from all corners of the globe, including Thailand. Unlike the Philippines, the food in Bangkok is often free from excessive sugar, salt, and oils. When I delve into a Japanese, French, Italian, or Thai restaurant in Bangkok, I am treated to a genuine and traditional experience—one that is missing in the Filipino versions of similar restaurants back home.
A Call for Change in Filipino Cuisine
Ultimately, my experience in the Philippines underscores a crucial point: the local cuisine would likely be much more palatable to a foreigner if it embraced healthier practices. This includes reducing the use of refined sugar, salt, oils, and flour in cooking. These changes could make the traditional dishes more enjoyable for those with diverse dietary preferences and better align with global health trends.
In conclusion, as a foreigner in the Philippines, I find the challenge of adhering to my dietary preferences to be both a struggle and a reminder of the importance of healthier eating habits. While the desire for traditional Filipino cuisine remains, it is also clear that making these dishes healthier can open up a new world of culinary enjoyment for both locals and foreigners alike.