Amid rising cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among children, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is advocating for the adoption of the traditional “Ilocano diet” to promote healthier eating habits.

The Ilocano diet features fresh, local ingredients, mainly vegetables, cooked through boiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. These methods preserve natural flavors and promote a balance of sweet, sour, and salty tastes without added sugar.

Marcos said this type of diet can help children avoid sugary foods, a common contributor to lifestyle diseases.

“So we also need to create a program, teach our young people not to eat only sweets. Prevent them from looking for them, especially refined sugar. It's good if the sweetness comes from fruits, vegetables, that's okay, because it's a different kind of sugar. That's fructose, that's not glucose. So it's easier to metabolize,” he said.

CKD is commonly caused by complications from diabetes, which is increasingly affecting younger populations due to poor diet.

The President also urged the consumption of real fruit juice over soft drinks.

“We need to teach the youth that instead of drinking soft drinks, they should enjoy fruit juice, as both drinks are sweet,” he said.

He emphasized that these changes are part of a long-term plan and called on parents, teachers, and food manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in children’s meals.

The President made the remarks during his visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), where he inspected additional facilities and reviewed new PhilHealth programs for dialysis and kidney transplant patients.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa encouraged families to follow the “Pinggang Pinoy” guide — a balanced plate model recommended for children, which includes vegetables, fruits, and nutrient-rich foods. He stressed that its portions are designed to meet children’s daily dietary needs.