FRUIT FOR THE CHILDREN

Shannon News, 18 September 1928, Page 4

FRUIT FOR THE CHILDREN

Medical opinion is agreed that bananas, grapes, and ripe apples provide good fruit fare for the children. Gooseberries also are excellent when nicely cooked, though- the uncooked berries must be banned. Gooseberry fool, which means that there are no skins or seeds to cause trouble, is a splendid fruit dish for the nursery.

But the three stipulated fruit items —grapes, bananas, and. ripe apples—are good at all times. Baby has probably become accustomed to the juice of the first-named during his earliest days. Soon after the first birthday the banana is an admissible supplement, and very soon after that a slice of ripe apple—an excellent cleanser for little teeth —may be incorporated in the nursery food regime. By the time the small person has attained the age of .1.8 months he may be given a little ripe apricot or peach, or pear, and also the pulp of the grape or orange, of which hitherto to the juice alone has been permitted. Melon, when just ripe as distinct from overripe, luay be advantageously added to the diet. Up to the third year bananas should be taken mashed, preferably with milk or cream. Otherwise, since starch is a large part of their composition, they will be too lumpy for proper digestion. All nursery folk should be assiduously taught to cat fruit slowly. "Gobbling" is not only bad manners: it is very definitely and physically harmful.