Rowegie Abanto

Emerging tourism destination, san Vicente in Palawan. Kara Santos, ABS-CBN News

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<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPfk5Za2K5g?&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F&amp;source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA — It&#x27;s that time of the year again when families celebrate Christmas Noche Buena with feasts and flowing drinks, but doctors caution that going overboard could harm one&#x27;s health.</p><p>Department of Health Spokesperson Albert Domingo urged the public on Christmas Eve to be mindful of their consumption of sweet, salty, fatty, and oily foods, as excessive intake can be harmful. </p><p>Domingo suggested that half of one&#x27;s plate should be fruits and vegetables, and the other half for protein, such as lechon and fried chicken, and carbs like spaghetti and rice.</p><p>&quot;Hindi naman kailangang iwasan, kailangan lang bawasan,&quot; he told DZMM. &quot;Pag naramdaman nang busog... wag na nating lampasan.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2024/12/26/ph-health-department-warns-of-holiday-heart-syndrome-0105">PH Health Department warns of &#x27;Holiday Heart Syndrome&#x27;</a></div><p>Meanwhile, current international guidelines say there is <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/01/30/24/good-for-heart-claims-on-alcohol-drinking-untrue-doh">no safe amount of alcohol drinking</a>, but Domingo admits that it can be impractical for some.</p><p>He recommended &quot;one standard drink per hour&quot; and discouraged binge drinking, or heavy alcohol consumption in a short period of time, adding that people who would later drive or intend to light firecrackers should not drink.</p><p>Domingo noted that there are alternatives to alcoholic drinks like mocktails that mimic the taste of liquors.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HEART-HEALTHY LIFESTYLE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, cardiologist Dr. Iris Garcia of the Philippine Heart Association recommended olive oil for cooking and adding flavor to holiday dishes, as it<strong> </strong>can help lower blood pressure and contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.<strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong>But olive oil can be pricey, so she recommended canola and sunflower oils as affordable alternatives. </p><p>Garcia noted that the fat in the belly of deep-sea fish like salmon is considered good cholesterol, but home cooks can also use cheaper protein sources such as tofu, chicken breast, and other healthy fish as substitutes. </p><p>She reminded Filipinos of adapting a heart-healthy lifestyle:</p><div><br/></div><ul style="list-style-type:circle"><li>Pagkain na masustansya</li><li>Huwag manigarilyo</li><li>Aktibong pamumuhay</li><li>Presyon ay kontrolin</li><li>Uminom ng maintenance</li><li>Sugar ay kontrolin</li><li>Obesity ay iwasan</li><li>Matulog nang kumpleto</li><li>Umiwas sa stress</li><li>No to alcohol</li><li>Ayawan ang cholesterol</li></ul><div><br/></div><p>Regular physical exercise and seven to nine hours of sleep are vital for the body&#x27;s inner workings, she said.</p><p>&quot;Make Christmas a season of celebration, not complication. Eat and drink wisely and have a hassle-free and absolutely happy holiday season and beyond,&quot; Garcia said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>It's that time of the year again when families celebrate Christmas Noche Buena with feasts and flowing drinks, but doctors caution that going overboard could harm one's health.</p>

It's that time of the year again when families celebrate Christmas Noche Buena with feasts and flowing drinks, but doctors caution that going overboard could harm one's health.

DOH, cardiologist share tips for a healthy Christmas Eve celebration

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DOH, cardiologist share tips for a healthy Christmas Eve celebration

Mary Rose Maligmat,

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

Published December 24, 2025 10:20 AM PHT

Read More:

Christmas Eve

Noche Buena

Alcohol

DOH

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