CL magazine, more food, less health

[Leslie w]

I've been a devoted CL reader for 5 years and really love their recipes and food topics. However I find myself barely reading, most times just skimming through the first half of their magazine. Don't get me wrong I'm also into health and fitness but I read so many other mags and newspapers that deal w/ those issues that I feel I have a pretty good handle on what I need in that respect. I also notice the community board on health gets a fraction of the hits that the food board does at this website. The readers letters in the mag are 99% food related too.

My question, and I know CL has addressed it in readers polls; do you think they should have equal coverage on food and health or should they put more of an emphasis on food? I'd like to see more articles on nutrition. And, how much time do you really spend on the health topics of the magazine?

[julia]

I really don't bother with the health/fitness aspects of the magazine - I would prefer more emphasis on nutrition and recipes.

[RUSTYSMOM]

Me too - more food/ recipes /nutrition. However I do like a sprinkling of fitness.

[Andrew]

I'm interested only in the recipes. I cancelled my subsription last year but missed receiving the recipes and have subscribed again.

Andrew

[Deedy]

I, too, feel there are too many "other" articles and less information on cooking light. Although the articles are well written and informative, the main theme of the magazine is cooking healthy and I prefer to see less of the exercise, make-up, etc. and more recipes for a healthy life style.

[Pat]

I would also like to see more light cooking information and less fitness. I do read the articles in the front of the magazine, but I would rather have more food info.

[laurenc]

I agree - more cooking light recipes - less health. I too subscribe to other magazines for fitness related topics and tend to only read CL for the recipes and nutrition advice. I would love to see more of it included.

[LenaS]

I couldn't agree more - think there should be more emphasis on nutrition and more of the great CL recipes.
Lena

[Leonard]

I am also in agreement. I prefer to read the food/nutrition articles. I mainly subscribed for the recipes. Maybe, we will see a change because we all seem to share the same opinion.

[karole]

yeaaaaaa!!!!!!!i'm with all you guys--i'm glad rustys mom brought it up! suprised to see we all agree so far.

[cryskie]

One more vote for more food, less "other"! I could do without the Beautywise section for sure. More nutrition info and recipes, recipes, recipes!

Crystal

[Curleytop]

I am a runner and don't need any fitness
instruction. I get the magazine for the Light recipes! I turn to the back page and look at the index of recipes and take it from there!

[SHERRY]

Count me in for the food too...when I get the magazine in the mail I always flip it open in the middle or so and search for the FOOD http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif....sherry

[hhcowgirl]

Wow, I totally, totally disagree. I feel that so many readers are not well-versed in information about leading a healthy lifestyle and that many read CL only for the recipes/food; if these articles can spur even one reader into action as far as exercising or moderation are concerned, then including these articles in CL is a huge benefit. I, like many of you, am a regular runner and have access to all sorts of health/lifestyle information, but we need to remember that many readers are not so fortunate or informed.

[food girl]

I agree with hhcowgirl. I reccommend CL to my clients and patients because it is so well rounded. The work-outs are well demonstrated and explained. Not to mention that I like Gin Miller as a model. She looks real - not like the 20-something, six-foot-tall,single-digit body fat, models in SHAPE.

I don't think I could handle more recipes. I end up feeling overwhelmed when the new one comes and I have only tried 3 or 4 things from the previous CL.

I respect CL for it's very well written nutrition information. They somehow manage to treat hot nutrition topics with a level hand and they don't sensationalize - which is unheard of in the media.

Just my thoughts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Lisa

[CAROL ANN]

I like the whole magazine. I think more recipes would be overwelming. It is difficult to make all of the recipes you would like to try before the next issue has arrived. I think it should stay as it is.

[emilycat]

First off, I entirely agree that having more recipes would be daunting.

And although I must admit that I could do without the makeup articles, I think that it's essential for CL to highlight all of the aspects of a healthy lifestyle. There's no either/or -- healthy living entails a nutritious diet combined with knowledge about the foods you're eating as well as exercise. I think it's admirable for the magazine to paint the entire picture.

[Angelina]

It's hard enough to make some of those recipes..more and I would just give up! I love the health and fitness sections. They are written in a well thought out and balanced way, without all the hype and extreme (for most people) involvement in sports. I read Shape too, and they are pretty good, but a magazine like 'Runner's World', while perfect for runners, would be overwhelming to a couch potato who is just considering adding some exercise to their daily routine. CL just makes it seem more feasible for those who are not into a specific sport or activity.

[Lynn B]

What a fun thread - thanks!

Wow, when I first started reading this thread I thought I was going to "stand alone" in my opinion!!! But then I saw some others (hhcowgirl, pammy, foodgirl, carol ann, emilycat, angelina) who feel like I do!

I totally love BOTH aspects of CL... the health and fitness articles AND the recipes. It's like getting 2 great magazines in one!

Personally, I wouldn't want a THING changed! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Lynn

[luv2cook]

I don't have time to read other magazines most of the time. I think CL has enough of everything in it that I don't feel like I need to pick up other subscriptions, altho I do agree that they need more nutrition but overall I think they're pretty a well-rounded magazine.

[Don]

Thanks Emilycat! I thought that I was the only one in the world who found the make-up and fashion articles to be inappropriate. I used to think my opinion was a result of my being male. Still, it is hard to interest men in a magazine about good living and good nutrition when they see articles more suited to Elle.

[laden]

I really like the magazine just the way it is! My favorite thing of course is the recipes, but I enjoy the fitness and nutrition articles also (I don't subscribe to any other type of health magazines so this is where I get my info). And I, for one, love the articles on makeup and fashion.

Cooking Light is a very well-rounded magazine and if it were only recipes it would be more like reading a cookbook (which I do all the time anyway)

[pammy]

I have actually let my subscriptions to other fitness magazines lapse because I feel that Cooking Light meets most of my needs in terms of providing a wide variety of information about living a healthy lifestyle. Now, I don't save the magazine for the health/fitness info, I save it for the recipes. But, I do read the whole magazine (at least what I am interested in, there have been some articles on make-up and fragrance that I was a little puzzled about) each month.

[BethR]

I enjoy the magazine as is -- a well rounded magazine about living healthfully. I'm not interested in the makeup and fragrance articles but I don't mind them being there. For many women, they're part of the whole fit, healthy, take-care-of-yourself picture. I love the recipes but I think more would be daunting -- between CL books and a mag every month, I have an unending supply of recipes to try! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusieO]

I would say that while I enjoy the food articles more than the health articles, CL provides valuable information that I just wouldn't get anywhere else. For instance, there was an article last summer on the health benefits of calcium beyond what we already knew about healthy bones. I also enjoy the workout articles, especially advice on stretching which, again, I wouldn't find anywhere else.

On the other hand, I never cared for the makeup articles, or the travel articles.

[Natasha]

I personally don't much enjoy the first half of the magazine at all. The health information is fine, but I don't use the fitness info, makeup articles, or travel articles, and I don't care for the CL profile either. Basically all I like is the food section http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif If others enjoy the first half of the magazine, I'm glad that CL publishes it. But let's put it this way: if you could have a choice between buying the magazine as is, and buying a smaller magazine with just the second half (for the same price), I would buy the smaller magazine. Less waste, less space taken, and fewer trees used!

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 02-11-2001).]

[kentgirl]

I love the fitness articles in the magazine. I think the "Good Moves" section is great! However, I usually skip the "BeautyWise" and "Enlightened Traveler" sections. I don't think those sections are why people buy the magazine, but they do make for a more well-rounded magazine appealing to more people.

[MaryB]

On the whole, I like the magazine the way it is. I don't always read the Beautywise section and may skip over a fitness article if it is describing something I already do or something I'll never do (some of the travel articles fall here!). I would like to see more nutrition articles, cooking technique articles and I also like the sections where they concentrate on one food ... even if it is something I'm not likely to use (the lavendar recipes come to mind).

[Leslie w]

The replies seem to be 50/50 which is what I expected. I agree w/ Natasha and would buy the smaller magazine, but I can also understand all of you who feel that the emphasis on health is just as important as nutrition esp. for people who are just getting started in a diet and exercise regime. They need a lot of guidance and it's nice to get all of that in one magazine. I suppose if I really was bugged by the first half of the mag I could just wait and buy the annual recipe book, but to have to wait that long would drive me crazy!

[Joyce]

I skip most of the first half of the magazine also. While I don't need more recipes monthly (sometimes I don't know how they come up with as many good ones as they do each month), I would appreciate more menu plans. It would be nice, since I work to just have a complete meal in front of me without thinking!! Also, it might be nice if they could have a column highlighting recipes for one fruit or vegetable each month.

[Jessica]

I read some of the fitness articles. I have never counted, but it seems CL has more recipes in the second half than many cooking mags have in the entire magazine. No, I do not work for CL http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Grace]

While I do read the first half of the magazine (I read EVERYTHING I lay my eyes on!), I especially like Joyce's ideas. Menu plans would be great, as well as more features on specific fruits or vegetables or grains. Those are the parts of the magazine I especially love, and can't get enough of.

[BeckyM]

I really like BOTH aspects of the magazine -- the health/fitness along with the recipes. Like many others, the recipes are why I originally subscribed to the magazine, but I enjoy getting the health & fitness information in the same place. I don't want to have to subscribe to a different magazine to get that type of information! Plus, I think it is more inspiring to me to strive for a healthy lifestyle when I get a magazine that talks about many different aspects of it. It is a good reminder that exercise AND food contribute to a healthy lifestyle, and we don't get the full benefits if we concentrate on just one!

[BarbaraL]

The recipes are my favorite part, but, like many of you, I only try a few a month -- just don't have the time! I tend to skip some of the health stuff when I'm busy, but, as I don't subscribe to other health magazines, I like to see it there, and read it when I have time. What I'd really like is some Consumer Reports/Cook's magazine-style reviews on cookware, knives, appliances and even ingredients. That's probably outside the scope of the magazine, but I like to hear reviews before purchasing a blender, etc. Judging by the number of such inquiries on this BB, so do other people. JUST A THOUGHT, CL!

[JillC]

Excellent idea, BarbaraL!!
I'd also love to see reviews of kitchen tools, food brands, etc.
Jill

[MrsReber]

I like Barbara's idea, too. I do skim through the first half of CL. I like the health information. I read the exercise info, but I have never followed their plan since I go to a gym where they will make a work out for you and they'll change it every three weeks. As for the make-up portion- well, I hardly wear any make-up to begin with so it doesn't interest me all that much. Also, it seems that many of the recommended products seem rather expensive.

[Leslie w]

Great idea Barbara! Why don't you write to them and suggest that they get rid of Beautywise and add a kitchen appliance review section http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif! (only kidding)! I'll do it. It seems like Beautywise is the least favorite of all judging from this poll and I'll let them know that. I'm sure it will be history in just a few short months!... If only it was that simple.

[Ohioan]

I never read the fitness or beauty sections. When I buy a "Cooking" magazine, it's because I'm interested in cooking, not in gym shoes or lipstick. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

As for the quantity of recipes, the more the merrier! In fact, the more there are, the more chance of finding really special ones that I'd like to try. And frankly, I'd like to see more recipes for people who don't like gooey, cheesey, buttery, creamy food and who prefer fruit for dessert rather than the many varieties of cakes, pies, and cookies that so often take up half the recipe section. There was one issue last year (Nov? Dec?) where every single recipe had cheese, cream, sour cream, and/or butter in it -- even the lentil dish! Bah, humbug. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gifCurmudgeonly,
Phoebe

[JillC]

I really enjoy both the food and fitness articles in the magazine. I have to admit that the food part is my favorite, but I really do enjoy reading the first half and, like others, would find more recipes overwhelming. I look forward to reading the travel articles and I really like CL's focus on the importance of community. I love reading about successful school lunch programs and community gardens--it makes me feel good. The only part I could do without is Beautywise.
Jill

[Leanne]

I skip all health stuff at the beginning. I never try all of the recipes - but they're good for getting ideas. I like the travel part too.
Maybe b/c I skip them, I haven't noticed - but it seems like the health part could talk about cholesterol, heart disease, or other health things related to diet. I usually just see some new moves that you can do at home for exercise or something of the like - boring.
Have a wine section - we seem to really like that topic too & it's food related.

[donleyk]

I usually read the whole magazine. If something doesn't interest me, I skip over it. I will say, they had an article about pedicures that prompted me to try it at home. I always thought that I would enjoy having one but I also knew I would not call up a day spa and have it done. Sometimes now, this is an excellent way for me and DH to have some quality time. (But I get mine first!)

I do enjoy the food articles and the recipes. I agree with Phoebe, tho', I don't like all the sweet dessert recipes. My family just isn't into cakes and pies, etc.

[cdm]

One more vote for more food. I'm a foodaholic what can I say. An attractive recipe on the cover of a magazine which is lowfat draws my attention more than yet another way to do an excercize. After exercize, still gotta eat

[LUCYT]

I like the CL the way it is! I've narrowed my subscriptions to just a couple (cost cutting/tree conservation) and I get a lot of what I need from CL!

[Natasha]

Originally posted by Ohioan:

As for the quantity of recipes, the more the merrier! In fact, the more there are, the more chance of finding really special ones that I'd like to try.

I agree; the more choice the better, esp. if you're vegetarian and thus eliminate some of the recipes off the bat (though veg. substitutions do work quite well for some recipes).

[mandarin2j]

I really like CL as it is, because I think it shows the full picture of what's needed for a healthy lifestyle, that cooking light in itself will not lead to total physical well-being.

This may sound silly, but it's too easy to disconnect exercise and diet. Think how many people try to work off that ice cream every day instead of learning to enjoy their treats (or redefining their notion of "treats") in moderation. I know someone who runs 8 miles a day and also indulges in a thick slice of cake from a local bakery EVERY DAY. I'm glad I don't have her arteries!

Plus, CL is doing what the market demands (there's tremendous growth in circulation among "lifestyle" magazines): marketing a total lifestyle. Of the three magazines I subscribed to a year ago, CL is the only one I'm not letting lapse! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif