LUXURY FOR MILLIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 73, 13 May 1946, Page 3

LUXURY FOR MILLIONS

DIET OF 2000 CALORIES? SEMI-STARVATION IN N.Z. When we read articles on the diets of Britain and European countries they are expressed as so many calories. Most housewives think of food from the appetising point of view, choosing those they like and those which give variety and a balanced meal. But the scientific method of preparing a diet is in calories, a. calorie being the amount 'of heat and energy given to the body by the foodstuff. The diet level most read about is that which UNRRA has as its gaol for those countries suffering from a food shortage, 2000 calories. This level, when if it could be attained, is low. It is the level recommended by the National Research Council for a boy of age 7-9 years, while that given for an actively working man is 4500 calories, and the adults in general 3000-4000 calories. Variety and Interest

Here is a diet giving the amounts of foodstuffs we in New Zealand could eat to give a 2000-calorie meal for one day. You will note that included in the menu are such things as meat, cheese, butter, milk and eggs—all food which gives variety and interest as well as calories and high food value. However, these are a luxury in comparison with those diets of the European countries and India. They have no meats, cheese or eggs, their calories come almost entirely from carbo-hydrates, in the form of grain allotments for bread. There is no variety or interest in their meals and these factors, as well as giving a low food value, make the low level more difficult to endure.

Three-quarters of .a lib. loaf of bread gives approximately 2000 cak ories. Compare this with a New Zealand diet giving 2000 calories for one day. Samples of Menus Breakfast: Stewed apples, 3ozs 63 calories; kornies, 1 serving (small), 73; milk, \ cup for fruit, 1 cup to drink, 233; toast, 1 slice, 61; butter, 3-Boz., 91; sugar, 1 teaspoon, 9. Dinner: Roast beef, serving, 296 calories; green peas, 1 serving, 85; carrots, 1 serving, 64; potato, 1 large, 94; gravy, 2 tablespoons, 28; pears, 84; custard, .4 cup, 135. Tea: Cauliflower in cheese, sauce, 1 medium seeing, 326 calories; scones, 1, 202; butter l-3oz 73; sugar, less than 1 teaspoon, 6; m'l.k, 1 .up, 78; total, 2011 calories.

Perhaps this menu to some will not seem low, but for a majority of working people to be reduced to a New Zealand diet of 2000 calories would indeed mean “tightening the belt.” ' Therefore it would seem a greater hardship if the reduction were to a 2000-calorie grain allotment.