OUR AILY DIET

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1922, Page 4

OUR AILY DIET

WHAT AND WHEN TO EAT. DOCTORS ADVICE TO SENIOR CADETS. | (N.Z. Times). Some valuable advice regarding how, wliat and when to oat was given ly Dr. C G. Morice in the course of his j talk to Senior Cadets on “Personal Hygiene and Physical Exercise” at the Community Club on Wednesday evening jnder the National Defence League's educational scheme. “Retarding the- consumption of food,” said Dr Morice, “we must consider "his under the headings of regular times, proper quantity and quality suitable preparation, and proper method o! eating. Meals are fixed by custom three times a day and should he at the same nour, or as nearly so as can be arranged. You should have a little leisure, but more especially after a meal. Allow sufficient time to go through the meal comfortably, net rushing or bolting your Rod: end also have good company, if possible, for pleasant conversation and laughter help in the enjoyment and digestion of your food. Get out of the habit of eating between meals. Those morning and afternoon teas arc pleasant little social functions but they put extra work on the stomach and bowels, which is not necessary.

“I).> not continue eating till you feel full and heavy on rising from the tfthlt. Always ice! that you could take a little mere hut won’t, so that- the stomach gets a chance tb deal with what it has already and is not overloaded. Don’t drink a lot of cold water or hot tea all through the meal. Keep it till the last and do not take long drinks to weaken the gastric juices. Our teeth show that the Creator meant us to eat mixed foods, viz: -animal, and vegetable; hut the mixture varied according to the individual, his work, the climate. time of day, etc. Each has to find out for himself wliat suits him best, but speaking generally, we, in New Zealand could do with less meat, taking ii once a day instead of twice or tbi'l.'C, and we should pay more attention to the use of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread etc. ft is from these we get our chief supply of vitamines, which are necessary to keep our nervous system, blood, and bones in good order. Want of these prodiic-: neuritis, scurvy, rickets and other diseases.

“F)i..’t should be properly cooked; not mm ii fried or greasy stuff; not overdone or twice cooked; and it should in- nicely served for its better enjoyment and digestion, as mentioned already. Yields should be taken in a dean, lright (lining room with clem cloths 'iml cutlery, etc. These not only help , i the pleasuie of eating, but as sist also in the promotion of self-respect the development of tidiness and itea--llcss in all our daily duties. “Now we collie to almost the most important condition I have laid down viz., '.be proper method of eating, and by this 1 want to draw attention to the great need for masticating the food suffi. civnllv This chewing breaks up the lumps of solid food, tears the meat fibres apait. and enables the digestive fluids D. get to work. Resides, the more the food is chewed the more it is mixvl with saliva, and this gives it the first start in the digestive process, (.'hewtiig is good therefore, for the food, and it w also, good for the teeth, for the waning pressure on them causes a go 1 1 Mow of blood to the jaws, and coiiseqiK i tly belter nourishment of teeth and gums, which will he stronger and last longer as a result. Dr. J. Sim Wallace, who is regarded as one of the wo. Id’s greatest authorities on this question says: “f had been struck by the marked superiority of the teeth of tlio e who ate the least soft and refined l ad. and also saw, what appeared to be good evidence that those who had Icon brought up on, and continued to eat, natural, unrefined fond, had a much better digestion than those who ate the most refined and npparent'y physiologically digestible food. Til other words, I came to the conclusion that, food which demanded efficient mastication was iiot only tlie host for the tenth, hut for the stomach and intestili M also.’ This is why toast, and crusts are good for young people, and why voting dogs worry bones. Chewing also helps to keep tlie teeth clean and free from tartar and pyorrhoea, which is now known to be the cause of so many bodily troubles.” Hero Dr. Morice stressed the necessity for cleaning the teeth regularly after meals and also for gargling the mouth and throat.

‘•ln (nnnection with food,” ho concluded. “1 may mention alcohol and spiriti. wines and beers; also tobacco smoking. But all 1 will say'is that these arc not at nil necessary for young men ind sire distinctly harmful to growing lads. They affect the delicate developing nervous system, the growing hones and the vital processes going on in the body.”