DIET AND NUTRITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1938, Page 8

DIET AND NUTRITION

AN INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS. BY DR. PLATTS MILLS.. The committee of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society assisted by the Plunket nurses, entertained the mothers on Thursday evening in the Arcade Hall. There was a large attendance, over 150 being present, including the Plunket nurses from the Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston districts. ■

Supper was provided by the committee consisting of tea and sandwiches, cakes and biscuits made entirely of wholemeal, thus demonstrating that most attractive as well as nutritions refreshments can be made from the wholemeal grains. The hall and tables were attractively decorated with roses and poppies. Mrs J. M. Coradine, on behalf of the committee, presented Dr. Platts Mills with a beautiful bouquet of roses. The president extended a hearty welcome to those present and expressed pleasure at the opportunity afforded the mothers to become acquainted with members of the committee. She apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mrs N. Irwin (hon. treasurer), and some other members, and then introduced Dr. Platts Mills of the Department of Health, Wellington, who gave a most interesting and instructive address on diet and nutrition. In the course.of her remarks, Dr. Platts Mills stressed the necessity of taking an intelligent interest in diet. Owing to rapid changes brought about by civilisation in our surroundings it was no longer possible to trust to our instincts, which were developed through thousands of years to fit us to an environment which has passed. "There can be no question that we are what we eat,” she said. “We do not need food diets, but a variety of good materials from which the body can choose its requirements. Food materials divide roughly into two groups, firstly, fuel foods and, secondly, building and repairing materials. The latter are those which are to such a great extent destroyed or removed in the preparation of modern foods, and it is these which require to be replaced- especially- the vitamines which are essential to life and health. Whole foods, natural foods, are those which contain these essentials, especially those of vegetable origin. Where meat is used emphasis is laid on the much greater value of liver, brains, tripe and sweet breads than the muscle meat so commonly used.”

The speaker then alluded to the proof that there is something very definitely lacking in the constitution of the children at present, as shown in deficiencies in physique, teeth, the prevalence of enlarged tonsils and susceptibility to colds and' other infections. These are intimately associated with defects in the food materials. Wherever possible fresh foods should be used in preference to those which have been dried or stored. “A sufficient quantity of milk was still not used in New Zealand,” she stated. “In America the average quantity used per day per person was pints, while in New Zealand it is more often less than 1| pints.” She also stressed the great value of the use of more lemon besides orange juice. In thanking Dr. Platts-Mills for her helpful address the president said that’ she was pleased to note that the doctor’s remarks were a further development along the lines of Sir Truby King’s teaching. Dr. Platts Mills in reply stated that her mother, Dr. Ada Platts Mills, was an ardent advocate of Sir Truby King’s methods, and worked with him for many years.

Mrs Moss and Miss Jamieson, accompanied by Mrs Moreton at the piano, rendered some delightful songs, and Mrs R. Miller gave some amusing and appropriate recitations, all of which were much appreciated. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very happy function to a close.