Tips for Tourists: The Struggle to Eat Healthy while in Cebu

Cebuanos, like most Filipinos, love salty, spicy, fatty, oily, high-cholesterol dishes and very sweet snacks and desserts. That is why some tourists complain how most Cebuano foods are too rich, too fatty or too sweet – but never bland, mind you.





Pork barbecue. Sinful.





Crispy pork. Even more sinful.





Garlic Kangkong



So how do eat healthy while you are in Cebu?



  • For starters, Cebu already has a lot of “healthy” restaurants popping up. Some serve only salads while some serve exclusively low-calorie foods.


  • When ordering fresh fruit juices or shakes, remember to tell them not to add sugar. By default, they will add sugar – unless you tell them not to. For a truly healthy drink, opt for fresh coconut juice.


  • We have sugar-free ice cream now. Yes, there are sugar-free ice cream available in the supermarkets. Frozen yogurt is not that popular in Cebu, but there are a handful of froyo shops in the island.


  • When dining in most restaurants, remember that they do have vegetarian options. Although the succulent pork rind is tempting, flip through the menu until you find their vegetable spread.


  • Try fresh lumpia. It is a much healthier alternative to fried lumpia (spring roll).


  • There are a lot of Japanese and Korean restaurants within Cebu City that offer healthier dining options.


  • If you prefer to eat fresh seafood, go to Lapu-lapu City. There, they have rows of eateries that sell fresh seafood. You choose the seafood and they cook it the way you prefer – with vegetables, less salt or no seasoning. Just let them know!




Baked oysters -- just ask them not to add butter.



Click here to read about keeping fit while on your Cebu vacation.