BREAD AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2181, 25 September 1920, Page 1

BREAD AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

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

In the last article reference 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. Whealmeal bread is regarded by some as not so palatable as white, but in reality when properly masticated il is very much more palatable, having a nutty flavour which is quite- wanting in while bread. More careful chewing and more thorough mixing of food with 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. ft provides for the adequate,exercise of the jaws and muscles of mastication. Its flavour is excellent, and it is easily digestible. Jt: should be buttered cold, ft is a. good plan for children to eat tins oventoast with softer foods, and in this way Hie habit of more deliberate and careful eating is encouraged. Such bard, 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 by bringing 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 tiie prevention of odenoids.

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, and placed sc that both sides can dry at once. The oven door may be left slightly open for steam to escape. Do not dry 100 luird. /it continues lo dry after removal from the oven. The common fault is through trying to dry it too much, and tins (cuds to render it less tasty. In order the increasing prevalence of ill-developed jaws, nasal obstruction, and the 100 common habit if bolting food, the constant use of such food which demands mastication is a real necessity, This oven (oast- has become very popular at some English public schools, it: should he on the table for children at every meal.