Caryl Maria Minette I. Ulay, DOST-STII
The top three winners of the Food is Life Exemplified: Planetary Health Diet or FlexPHD Mobile App Development Competition were showcased among young audiences at the recently concluded National Youth Science, Technology, and Innovation Festival (NYSTIF) held on 27 October 2023, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“The more colorful your plate is, the healthier you are, and this planet will be,” said Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
By filling half of our plate with fruits and vegetables, we are taking steps towards the Planetary Health Diet (PHD). This diet promotes plant-based food selections to obtain healthier sources of protein and essential nutrients, thereby reducing our risks of chronic health diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
What makes this diet more interesting is that we can also learn about food culture to patronize traditional cuisines, expand our knowledge of cooking methods to maximize food nutrients, and help minimize food waste, thus reducing our carbon footprint. With these FlexPHD apps, good deals are further extended for us to attain wellness.
The runners-up: Local Food Terminal and Sustainsia
Harmonizing local farmers to digitally market their produce is the core of the app called Local Food Terminal developed by Team Ediscape from the University of the Philippines-Western Visayas. The app is comparable to the system of food delivery apps, providing local farmers a classified online platform to sell their products at reasonable prices and reach a wider customer base.
Farmers can also receive market forecasts such as availability and the right time to market and connect with potential and sure buyers. Assistance with production, logistics, and financial linkages are also benefits of this innovation.
Meanwhile, the Sustainsia app developed by Team PlanEATarians from UP Los Baños gamifies the dieting experience into a fun and enjoyable activity. The app features personalized diet suggestions such as total energy and caloric requirements and allows manual input to track water intake and exercise duration.
The AI assistance of this app can identify images of food and provide consumers with healthy food recipes, enabling an affordable and suitable Planetary Health Diet for Filipinos.
The second tier: VICTU App
VICTU was created by Team MAPA from the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus with the goal of optimizing cafeteria management while offering healthier food options for students.
This app has specialized homepages for canteens, consumers, and farmers. The canteen’s page enables operators to schedule recipes, take online orders, and process payments using QR codes.
Meanwhile, the consumer’s page displays the weekly menu with meal nutrient descriptions and allows viewers to browse PHD-related content. Farmers can also benefit from the app by listing their products and locating nearby canteens that need a supply of their produce.
The Champ: HEAL PH
The HEAL PH mobile application clinched the title for the FLExPHD mobile app development competition. Team M1R4G3 from UP Los Baños initially launched HEAL-PH to assist UP students in adopting healthy eating practices modeled after the Planetary Health Diet.
This AI-powered mobile app can identify food in photos and deliver nutritional information per serving to match personal diet details. Users can also track their caloric intake, water consumption, number of steps, and sleep duration to assist them toward a healthier lifestyle.
“By starting with you, our younger generation, we can make a significant impact on our food habits and ultimately on our health, one app at a time,” encouraged Maridon O. Sahagun, DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services, in trying PHD apps once they are available for public use.
In partnership with SEARCA, the competition was organized by the DOST-National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), and the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). (30)
