Too much lechon leads to heart attack - DOH

MANILA, Philippines - Too much of the luscious and crispy lechon can lead to heart attack, the Department of Health (DOH) warned.

"If one must eat lechon, he or she must bear in mind some important dietary reminders, which include eating less port, using a small plane when eating, including vegetables in the diet, especially those rich in carbohydrates and protein and drinking lots of water," the DOH said in its website.

The country's lechon capital, La Loma in Quezon City, has already sold at least 150 lechons before Christmas Day.

DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said in a radio interview that aside from firecrackers, Filipinos should also be watchful of their diet during the holidays.

Tayag said people who are already overweight should be very careful this holiday season and they should avoid putting on extra pounds as it can lead to several kinds of medical disorder, including heart diseases and diabetes.