Get a taste for healthy homecooking with Iya Villania

A new year, a new season, and a new addition to the family! #Mamazing mom Iya Villania certainly has a lot to look forward to this 2022. Family life has never been more fulfilling as she balances motherhood, her fitness routine, and a new baby on the way. Plus, in between her tapings and endorsements, Iya welcomes the latest season of her cooking show “Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.” by AJINOMOTO®, which she hosts with Chef Jose Sarasola.

"Madami kaming bago this season,” Iya reveals. “We have dishes that I know magugustuhan ng mga Pinoy. We’ll teach them how to serve up these dishes in a new way para naman naiiba siya sa paningin ng mga kakain sa bahay pero appetizing pa rin.”

Similar with the previous seasons, the latest “Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.” episodes offer simple-to-cook meals that are both delicious and nutritious. If there’s one thing that Iya has learned during her time in the show, it’s that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. It’s a practice that she brings home to her own kitchen. As a mom, she wants her family to stay in their best health, especially during the pandemic.

“I want eating to be an enjoyable thing for them,” Iya said. “I always make sure that we have options at home... that there’s something that everyone can eat. I also encourage them kasi to try something [new]. That’s how it works here sa Casa Arellano,” she added with a laugh.

Just like in many Filipino households, AJINOMOTO® products have become Iya’s reliable partners in cooking. Not only do they help bring out the flavors in each dish she cooks, but it also has plenty of benefits to one’s health. AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, when used as a partial replacement of salt, can help reduce or lower one’s sodium intake by roughly 40%. This is because monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is Ajinomoto’s primary ingredient, contains less sodium than regular salt.

“It’s really perfect for those at home who are trying to be healthy, who want to lose weight, pero nandun pa din yung sarap ng dish na palaging hinahanap natin,” Chef Jose said.  As Iya pointed out, anyone can make healthy dishes at home without having to sacrifice taste.

This season, Iya and Chef Jose promise to deliver new flavors to the viewers using Ajinomoto AJINOMOTO® products. They even have kid-friendly recipes, like Chicken Meatballs, Lasagna Rollups, and Chicken Nuggets, which Iya promises little ones would enjoy.

“Our recipes are pretty solid,” Chef Jose added. “So kailangan nilang abangan kasi I’m sure kapag na try nila sa bahay nila sobrang sarap ng recipes namin.”

Start to eat well and live well with Ajinomoto today! Check out the healthy and delicious dishes you can recreate at home only on “Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.” by AJINOMOTO® every Friday on GMA at 11:20 am.

For more recipes, visit the official Ajinomoto website and follow Cookmunity by Ajinomoto Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.