CHILDREN'S FOOD

Shannon News, 15 January 1929, Page 4

CHILDREN'S FOOD

RELATION TO HEALTH.

IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT.

To give a child the right food in its early years is of supreme importance. A well-balanced diet containing thq essential ingredients builds up a strong body with but little tendency to disease. A poor diet, deficient in essentials, cannot build up the muscle, nerve and other tissues that are part of a really sound development. The average child is easy to feed, and has not many tiresome fads and fancies. If these exist they can be banished or overcome by the exercise of a little tact.

It is very important to early insist on proper mastication. Many foods wholesome and nutritious in themselves, lose their value and may even b-> harmful, if "bolted" or swallowed without being properly chewed. For example, many nursery puddings become more tempting when currants are added. They also become more valuable from.the standpoint of health, for currants are very rich in fruit sugar, and that is associated also with valuable mineral salts. These prevent acid conditions in the blood and tissues- and counteract the effect of the starchy food that of necessity is included in a nursery diet. Now currants swallowed whole ,or but slightly chewed, are of no. value 'to the child's system. For very small children it is advisable to chop or mince the currants before, adding them to the pudding, and this applies also to the plain cakes so much enjoyed by little nursery folks. The importance of fruit in the nursery menu is gradually being recognised, but. here ,too, a word of warning is needed. The pith and fibre of oranges and grape-fruits should be carefully removed, also the skin and seeds of grapes, ar-d the child should be taught to chew even-pulp that ap pears soft enough to swallow. This is especially necessary in the case of pears and apples.