Tagalog Word of the Day: Tabachoy (Fatty)
The Skinny on Filipino Flavor
Hey Friends,
At my heaviest, I was nearly 300 pounds. Can you believe 286 pounds? It feels surreal to say out loud. Not fat shamming here—and I am body positive—but the weight was alarming to my health.
Here’s the thing—I have an EXTREMELY high tolerance for long durations of stress, and I was laser focused on work, and I just didn't notice or care about the poundage. And for my whole life, I just assumed it was all about “calories in, calories out.” That’s what we’ve been told, right? But it’s not true. The science around obesity is more nuanced than we’ve been led to believe, and that outdated narrative kept me stuck for years.
In 2020, 60 pounds began melting off through intermittent fasting and last year I decided to change how I live in my body—layering small, meaningful habits over time. It started with an overhaul with doctor visits, which indicated a mass in my breast, high cholesterol and becoming pre-diabetic. Also, my mind was just whack!
It’s a miracle. I love morning swims, look forward to the heat and flow of hot yoga, and take long, two-hour weekend walks with my doggies that nurture my body as much as my mind. I also commit to routines, building a morning and evening rhythm that become grounding rituals. Mornings often begin with morning pages CB when it's still dark outside— I love the quietness of the early mornings.
Evenings center around cooking dinner (which for ten years I couldn't even count how many homemade dinners I had) and my skincare routine. No Botox (yet), but monthly facials at Sana, microcurrent treatments, and the indulgence of Augustinus Bader products feel like little luxuries with big results.
My approach to food shifted too. I focus on proteins, vegetables, and curated carbs that are yummy and purposeful—buttery yukon potatoes, creamy boniato, and the occasional bowl of fragrant rice that instantly taste like home.
I still eat chocolate. ♥️
Today, the weight has continued to drop, and I'm the lightest I've been in a decade. I don't even recognize my former life, mentally. The physical changes have been gradual—I’ve measured the inches and the pounds—but what matters most is how I feel. I have a long way to go, but I am stronger, more present, and steady. Clothes fit better, too, which is an added perk.
Filipino food has been part of this journey all along. We have so many nutrient-packed, satisfying dishes that fuel strength and restoration. These meals have reminded me that food is not just sustenance—it’s comfort, tradition, and care.
Here are five Filipino dishes I’ve leaned on while I lean out. They’re proof that wellness can taste like home.
1. Tinola (Chicken Ginger Soup)
Tinola feels like someone wrapping a blanket around your shoulders when you didn’t even know you needed it. The broth, infused with ginger and garlic, warms you from the inside out. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory that aids digestion and boosts circulation. Meanwhile, green papaya provides magnesium, calcium, potassium and is high in Vitamin C and malunggay leaves (moringa) are packed with iron, vitamin A, and antioxidants, making this soup a nutritional powerhouse. The lean chicken adds protein to keep you full and energized without weighing you down.
When I make it: After a hot yoga session when I need something simple and restorative.
2. Sinigang (Tamarind-Based Soup)
Sinigang is a punch of tang and warmth, a dish that wakes you up as much as it soothes you. The tamarind broth doesn’t coddle—it cuts straight through fatigue, congestion, or even the weight of a long day. It’s a flavor that grabs you with an aggressive hug leaving you comforted, grounded, and ready for the next spoonful. Truly love at first bite.
Tamarind is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which support immune health and reduce inflammation. The vegetables—mustard greens, daikon, eggplant, and okra—are high in fiber, helping with digestion and overall gut health. Whether made with shrimp, fish, or pork, sinigang offers a protein boost alongside its hydrating broth, making it both refreshing and hearty.
When I make it: Whenever I want something bold and flavorful.
3. Arroz Caldo (Chicken Rice Porridge)
Arroz caldo is a rice porridge noted for a slow-simmered broth, infused with ginger and garlic and is hearty but easy to digest. Rice provides a quick source of energy, whole chicken adds lean protein for muscle repair and satiety. Topping it with a boiled egg gives an extra dose of protein and healthy fats, and a squeeze of calamansi or lemon provides vitamin C to aid immunity. It’s comfort food that nourishes without bloating.
When I make it: On recovery days when I want something cozy.
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4. Ginisang Monggo (Sautéed Mung Beans)
Mung beans are the unsung hero of Filipino cooking—packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins like folate and magnesium. Sautéed with garlic, onions, and leafy greens like malunggay or spinach, ginisang monggo is an earthy, satisfying dish that supports digestion and stabilizes blood sugar. A touch of pork or shrimp adds savory depth and extra protein without overpowering the dish.
When I make it: Midweek, when I need something hearty that keeps me going.
5. Bulalo (Slow simmered Beef Bone Marrow Soup)
Bulalo is a salve in a soup. The slow-simmered beef shanks release collagen, gelatin, and minerals like calcium and magnesium into the broth, making it excellent for joint health and gut support. The addition of cabbage, potato, corn, and green beans adds vitamins and fiber, making this bone broth-based dish more filling and nutritious. The healthy fats from the bone marrow also provide long-lasting energy and support brain function.
When I make it: On Sundays, when I have time to let it simmer and fill the house with its aroma.
Writing this I realized the power of soup, which is so easy to prepare and perfect in the winter. These dishes remind me that Filipino food is as good for you as it is nostalgic for me. It’s a cuisine built on feeding both body and soul.
Health, I took you for granted. But I’m so deeply grateful to my body—it has endured trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, stress, and so, so much more. I love my body. Thank you, Body—you’ve carried me through it all.
Ingat,
Nicole
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