WHAT'S A 2000 CALORIE DIET?

Chronicle (Levin), 9 April 1946, Page 4

WHAT'S A 2000 CALORIE DIET?

■ .\V,'r /; . . W6. Tefid artoblefe im tfie fiiets of Britaiu au.d Eu^bdan^'. c'ountries tbey are ex.pressed as'-"SO/inany- qalqries^ ' Do 'wa know what thd^'inean? 'bMost housewives think of food from the appetising point of view, choosing those they like aird those which give variety aud a balanced meal. But the scientifie method of preparing a diet is in ealories. 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 goal for those c'ountries suffering from a food shortage, 2000 ealories. This level even if it could be attained, is low. It is the level recommended by the National Researeh Councii for a boy of age 7-9 years, while that given for an actively working man is 4500 ealories, and the adults in general 3000-4000 ealories. Here is a diet giving the amounts of foodstuffs we in New Zealand -could eat i. 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 ealories and high food value. However, these are a luxury in comparison with those diets of the European countries and India. They have no meat, cheese or eggs, their ealories come almost entirely from carbohydrates, in the form of gfain allotments for bread. There is no variety or interest in their meals and these factors as well as giving a Jow food value, make the low level more . diffieult to endure. Menu: — Breakfast: Stewed apples, 3ozs., 63 ealories; kornies, 1 serving (small), 73; milk, -} cup for fruit, 'l cup to drink, 233; toast, I slice, 61; butter, 3-8oz., 91; sugar, 1 teaspoon, 9. Dinner: Eoast beef, 1 serving, 296 ealories; green peas, 1 serving, So; carrots, 1 serving, 64; potato, 1 large, .94; gravy, 2 tablespoons, 2S; pears, 84; custard, 1 cup, 145. • Tea: Cauliflower in cheese sauce, 1 medium serving, 326 ealories; seones, 1, 202; butter, l-3oz., 73; sugar, less than 1 teaspoon, 6; milk, 1 cup, 78; total: 2011 ealories.