It takes longer, but I've been pausing games if I have to leave for very long (work, sleep), especially before getting rid of the algae. Even with villagers dilligently farming, the coconuts don't replenish very quickly and the crops aren't always enough food.

With the game on pause, I can come back and know there won't be any starvation, and I don't need to cheat to finish the game . Sure, it takes longer, but then I get to watch the village grow instead of having it happen when I'm not looking.

-- jen