Posted on: Sunday, January 16, 2005

AFTER DEADLINE

By Anne Harpham
Advertiser Senior Editor

Every New Year's, countless Americans resolve to eat a healthier diet, lose weight and exercise more.

Just this past week, the federal government tried to reinforce those resolutions by urging Americans to eat fewer calories and exercise 30 to 90 minutes a day. These guidelines are not new advice, but reinforce a commonsense approach. The Web link is www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines. We're trying to do our part, too.

Over the last few years, The Advertiser has added features to reflect reader interest in attaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Island Life writer Paula Rath regularly profiles residents who have incorporated fitness into their busy lives.

Time and opportunity are excuses for many who don't quite meet their exercise goals, but Rath seeks out a range of Island folks, including busy executives and busy moms, students and many others who not only have made long-term commitments to exercise, but have made it fun and have incorporated it into their schedules.

The Island Life section also runs the "Shape Up" column from Charles Stuart Platkin every Wednesday.

Platkin offers commonsense advice on making healthy eating choices, such as how to enjoy a holiday meal while making wise choices from calorie- and fat-laden offerings or how to eat fast food and watch your weight.

Newspaper food sections once gave little thought to healthy eating. Not anymore.

Our Taste section began using nutritional analysis for all recipes last summer. All locally generated recipes are evaluated by University of Hawai'iiManoa nutrition sciences graduate students under the direction of Joannie Dobbs. Dobbs is developing an extensive database of nutritional content of local/Asian ingredients.

"Just the presence of this information has the effect of causing people to think and make better choices — even some recipes that seem light turn out to be quite loaded with fat, sodium or sugars," notes Taste editor Wanda Adams.

Adams also runs a weekly nationally syndicated column focused on lightening recipes, "Recipe Doctor" by Elaine Magee. Magee offers low-fat and lower-calorie recipes and adjusts readers' favorite recipes to lighten them up.

Adams recently commissioned a biweekly column, on lighter eating local-style, by kama'aina Carol Devenot, a former high school home economics teacher and author of "Island Light Cuisine." It's called "Light and Local."

Adams says that as food editor, she is conscious of offering vegetarian options and lighter options whenever she discusses recipes. For example, when a recipe calls for sour cream, she will often note whether or not nonfat sour cream or yogurt can be used or an ingredient can be reduced or eliminated.

"Good, better, best choices" are guidelines Adams says she always keeps in mind in developing and writing stories.

And, our Sports section will be profiling fitness and running clubs or groups that can help you meet your goals but don't require the same financial commitment as a gym. Look for the Total Rec page in Sports.

We're trying our best to help you keep those resolutions.

Senior editor Anne Harpham is The Advertiser's reader representative. Reach her at aharpham@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8033.