SHAPE UP
Ad campaign urges eating five veggies and fruits daily

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Not likely. But two apples and 3 cups of spinach a day would probably do the trick.

The Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state's largest medical insurance provider, has named September "5 A Day Month" in an effort to spread the news about healthy eating — specifically, the advantages of eating at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits every day.

Five servings of veggies and fruits daily can help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other diseases, said Alicia Maluafiti, HMSA manager of community and government relations.

A serving for vegetables: 1 cup of raw, green leafy vegetables; 1/2 cup of fresh, cooked or canned vegetables; or 6 oz. of 100 percent vegetable juice. For fruit: one piece of fruit; 6 oz. of 100 percent fruit juice; 1/2 cup of cut fresh or canned fruit; or 1/4 cup dried fruit.

The program also "tries to target parents as role models because they have the greatest ability to influence the lifestyle of their children, and specifically their eating habits," Maluafiti said.

HMSA encourages the entire family, especially the keiki, to get involved with 5 A Day. The association developed the 5 A Day Friends — fruit and vegetable mascots "intended to make the campaign fun" for that reason, Maluafiti said.

Coloring and activity books featuring the 5 A Day Friends, booklets detailing the program and nutritional info, and healthy recipes created by the students of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific — all free materials — are available at Daiei, Star Markets and Times Super Market stores.

For details, visit www.hmsa.com or call 948-5084.