Nadine Tengco

Nadine Tengco reveals how you can lose weight by eating more.

The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition’s resident nutritionist Nadine Tengco reveals how you can lose weight by eating more.

                                      

What’s your health story? Was there a life-changing transition from fat to fit?
I came from an obese family where the average weight is 200 pounds. Since I always knew I was prone to being fat, I've always been conscious  about my weight.

Have you ever been fat?
Never. I was plump before but not really fat.

What's your proudest moment while doing The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition.
There's this one moment where I cried talaga. In the show kasi aside from consultations, which I do every day with my clients, I also conduct cooking classes. Almost all of our contestants didn't know how to cook. Then in one episode all of them were to cook. You can just imagine my  nerves because they were going to be judged by their dishes—which I supposedly taught them how to do. Then when they were all done, I was floored! I was reduced to tears. I wasn't even sure if they were listening to me in the classes. They explained their dishes perfectly that when I closed my eyes they sounded like chefs. One eliminated contestant, who's never cooked until the show, has gone from zero cooking experience to cookaholic. Amazing!

Is there a difference in weight loss transformation between your regular clients and The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition's?
None. Though every transformation is unique, all of them change for the better. It doesn't matter how much you've lost because the real change comes from the inside. No matter what your reasons are for losing weight, whether it's for vanity or health reasons, you come out of it a happier person. It reflects on the changed person's relationships. Those are the transformations that fulfill me. I live for those moments.

How many meals in a day do you recommend for weight loss?
Six. Every four hours. But for severe cases every two hours.

How does an ideal meal look like?
Think of it this way: Halve your three meals into six then eat every three to four hours. You shouldn’t wait for yourself to go hungry.

How about snacking?
It’s okay to snack as long as you snack mindfully. “Mindfully” means snacking healthily and not while watching TV.

How do you apply nutrition to your cooking?
What I do is I “healthify” what I cook. It’s all about applying what I already know about nutrition into everyday life. I infuse vegetables in every meal. For example, if I want something creamy in my food, instead of adding just mayonnaise, I improvise by using half mayo, half pureed cauliflower to achieve the creamy effect.

What ingredient cant you live without?
Garlic. I really love garlic on almost everything.

Any tips for those who want to lose weight?
Don’t eat food for what it’s not but for what it is. Simply put, instead of counting every calorie, go for food with the highest nutrition density. Aim for the highest nutritional value for the lowest calories. The key is to be creative. Eating is fun. You should make your meals fun—make them pretty and tasty.  

Check out Nadine Tengco’s Oatmeal Crepe recipe here.

Photography by Marie Joyce Siason | Shot at Organic Rituals Spa (Mezzanine, Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan)

To know more about US-certified fitness nutritionist and weight loss coach Nadine Tengco, visit www.ihealth.multiply.com or email nadine@ihealthcircle.com. For an appointment or consultation, contact Geraldine (02) 380-4413 or (0906) 252-0983.

• rinacaparras 5 months ago View all replies1 Report Abuse

     

  You guys should feature her recipes :)
  • aimee_m 5 months ago Report Abuse

       

    Hi, Rina! Nadine shared us one of her recipes. Here, click: http://www.yummy.ph/recipe/oatmeal-crepe