The Nutrition Branch of the state Department of Health has compiled nutritional information on foods served at nine fast-food and six sit-down restaurant chains, grading them with shaka signs for their relative healthiness. More shakas means less fat.
The findings are not great if you are fat-phobic, but at least they help point out the lesser of evils if you do go out for quick food. At Pizza Hut, for example, pick hand-tossed crusts in plain cheese, or with ham or pepperoni, or the Veggie Lover. Those score a single shaka. Everything else scores a zero. Round Table Pizza does better, fat-wise, with several pizzas getting one, two and even three shakas.
The booklet also lists calorie, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein numbers.
For a copy, stop by the Nutrition Branch, Room 410 at the state Capitol. No mail orders. But it's free, so worth the stop. It's available with an English or Hawaiian title.
Also, Kahuku hospital is celebrating with two mornings' worth of heart-healthy activities.Waimanalo Health Center, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call Phuong at 538-7021 Ext. 17.
On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month -- Feb. 13 and 27 from 8 a.m. to noon -- attend a Healthy Communities Farmers Market on the hospital's front lawn.
Free blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screenings will be offered. Also available: health and diabetes education, plus nutritional and fitness consultations from the Food for Life Pantry.
The Waikiki Health Center will set up a clinic; produce, flowers and crafts will be sold.
Inside the hospital on the 13th will be a CPR and first-aid training class, running 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The fee is $10. To register call 293-9204.
For information on the farmers market or other Kahuku health programs call 293-9221, Ext. 360.
