BREAD AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1920, Page 1

BREAD AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

CRISP TOAST FOll MASTICATION.

(Article published under the authority of the Education Department).

In the last article preference was made to the superiority of wheatmeal over white bread from a nutritional point of view and also as a means towards the prevention of dental disease. Wheatmeal bread is regarded by some as not so palatable as white, but in reality when properly masticated it is very much more palatable, having a nutty flavour which is quite wanting in white bread. More careful chewing and more thorough mixing of food with the saliva not only enhances its flavour, but if put into practice would go far to eliminate, indigestion, a common complaint in modern communities.

As a food for children wheatmeal bread, toasted or crisped in the oven, is highly recommended. Every child likes it. It provides for the adequate exercise of the jaws and muscles of mastication. Its flavour is excellent, and it is easily digestible. It should be buttered cold. It is a good plan for children to eat this oven toast with softer foods and in this way the habit of more deliberate and careful eating is encouraged. Such hard crisp food satisfies the natural craving of children for something to chew. Many children lose appetite through being fed too exclusively on soft pappy foods. The habit of. vigorous mastication of hard food an increased supply of blood to the' parts contributes to better development of the jaws and of the teeth which are developing in the gums. It is a valuable aid also in the prevention of adenoids.

Oven toast is made as follows—• Take a loaf of wheatmeal bread,: one day old by preference. Cut in slices and place in the oven, so that botb sides can dry at once. The oven door may be left slightly open for steam, to escape. T)o not dry too bard. It continues to dry after removal from the oven. The common fault is to dry it too much and this tends to render it less tasty. In order to counteract the increasing prevalence of jll-developed jaws, nasal obstruction, and the too common habit of bolting food, the constant use of such food which demands mastication is a real necessity. This oven toast has become very popular at some English public schools. It should be on the table for children at every meal.