THE NUTRITIOUS CHEAP CUT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10058, 1 June 1910, Page 4

THE NUTRITIOUS CHEAP CUT.

A good deal of discussion has taken place in the United States recently regarding the increased price of meat. With peculiar appropriateness at such a time, there has' been issued by the United States Department of Agriculture a Farmers'' Bulletin entitled "Economical Use of Meat in the Home,*' the authors being two experts in charge of nutrition investigations. The lesson taught by this bulletin is that the nutritive value of meat dues not depend on the high price of the cut or on its tenderness. A cheap, tough piece of meat may be so treated as to furnish a wholesome and toothsome article of food. Meat furnishes about 16 per cent, of the total food consumed by an ordinary American family, about 30 per cent, of the protein desirable in the average diet, and 60 per cent of the energy-producing fats. The authors suggest that if one meat-dish is served* and other materials supplying protein, such as milk, eggs, beans,

or similar foods, are also used, there is little danger of getting too much meat or too little protein. Meat is easily digested. The higher priced cuts contain more of the extractives which give meat its agreeablejflavour and stimulate digestion, but these extractives do not make the meat any more nutritive, and the authors state that for persons with normal digestions, the less expensive cuts may be used juat as readily, provided they are cooked aod flavoured in appetising fashion. The thrifty housewife reduces waste by using bone, fat, and trimmings in various ways. The variety of tssty dishes that can be made from the cheaper meat or meat "left over" is almost endless, but they require more time and skill. The superiority of the cook is displayed in the preparation of attractive but inexpensive dishes. The authors conclude by urging that, provided the comfort of the family does not suffer and the meals are kept as varied and appetising as when they cost more, there is little ground for any prejudice against this form of economising.