IN SUMMER HEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 14

IN SUMMER HEAT

FOODS TO EAT AND AVOID LIGHT CLOTHES AND HEALTH “How can 1 get cool and keep cool?” This will soon be the problem facing Aucklanders. There is only one sure method of combating the heat, say medical men, and that is a strict adherence to a suitable diet and rational dressing. 'P'IRST care of those who would keep cool is avoidance of sitting in the sun during the middle of the day. If one must “sunbake,” then do it in the early morning or later in the afternoon.! At mid-day. harmful infra rays are at their greatest and the health-giving violet rays do not exert their influence j except in the early morning or late afternoon. When eating, all animal foods should be avoided or. since many have always shown a decided preference for meateating. their daily quota should be reduced to a minimum. Fruit, salads and all foods rich in proteins should be the staple items of the diet in hot weather, while cool frr!t juices or water should form the main drink. A suggestion for typical summer meals: Breakfast: An orange, one or two eggs, two cups of weak tea or coffee, wholemeal bread and butter, black treacle, or marmalade. Luncheon: Fruit salad, wholemeal bread, or rye biscuit, or if something more substantial is required, try cheese and fresh green salad, including tomatoes, with perhaps a cold milk soup at the beginning of the meal. Try and make luncheon the main

meal of the day. Avoid tea, if possible, and drink, instead, home-made lemonade or fresh fruit juice. The latter is excellent summer-health food. EAT IN MODERATION First consideration in the keeping of the diet is moderation. Never gorge or eat too much of the one form of food. Try and work out a variable menu for the week, keeping fresh foods as the staple article of food. Avoid absolutely, heavy tinned foods, especially meats. Housewives who swelter each day over a hot oven cooking their family hot greasy roasts under the impression that they aje making sure that their family gets “at least one good square meal a day,’* are only giving themselves a deal of unnecessary, unhealthy, uncomfortable work, the results of which are almost negligible, if not actually harmful. An airy kitchen is an asset too. Far better would it be for them to set before their families such a meal as this: Two oranges each, cut in halves, and eaten with a spoon: a light salad made with plenty of lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes; for dessert, fresh pineapple or stewed apples. Serve fresh fruit juice or iced water as a drink instead of tea. A dish of nuts or an ample supply of other fruits should also be included iu the menu. Wear Cool Dress As important as diet, for summer health, is rational dressing. Women have already solved the problem of wearing the least amount of clothes for comfort and propriety Man Is far behind her in dressing for comfort and, while he takes all manner of other means of getting cool, he still retains his tight collar and tie and wears unseasonable navy blue or heavy tweed suits. There is only one comfortable and sane dress for the hot day. Sports shirt, with au open collar, light trousers, and sports coat, silk socks, and panama hat is the ideal array. Light clothes of thin texture allow

the violet rays from the sun to reach the skin in health-giving quantities. Sleeping-out Maintenance of a good, healthy sleep is also a hot nights. If possible, sleeping put is the most healthy in nearly all but if sleeping inside, use only one top sheet and discard all heavy blankets. Drink one qt two tumblers of cool water before bedtime and a cup of warm water with a lump of sugar each morning. It is a great help to the natural opening of the pores of the body during the night. Ensure a good circulation of fresh air by keeping all doors and windows open. Those who are not used to sea bathing are advised to bathe in moderation in the cold sea water, as sudden immersion in low temperature water is liable to affect the heart and general health of the bather. Exertion and exposure in the sun is injurious especially to those who indulge in “sun-baking” for the first time in the season. Care should be taken by those unaccustomed to “sunbaking” to take very little exposure until thoroughly inured to the rays of the suu. In brief, to keep healthy, cool and comfortable, eat less meat, more fruit, and wear lighter clothes.