HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1943, Page 5

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

LOOKING AFTER OLD AGE.

IMPORTANCE OF FOOD.

(By the Health Department.)

With the increase of the average expectation of life in the community, a special department of medical science has been set aside for the study of old age and the care of the elderly. Its aim is to make the later .years of life as comfortable and productive as possible, and to correct many erroneous beliefs about the treatment of those who are getting on in years. In the first place, there is a widespread and entirely wrong assumption that food in general should be severely restricted in old age. A sufficiency of the protein foods is still essential at this period of life. These proteins are necessary for cell reproduction and tissue replacement. Fish .meat, eggs, cheese, milk, vegetables and cereals are all good sources of protein.

As life becomes less active, and the weight a little heavier, you will have to be careful of the carbohydrates (starches and sugars). As much as possible should be taken in the form of wholemeal; potatoes are the next best form of starch. From middle life onward watch out that you don’t get too fat. particularly if you come from a family that has a history of artery diseases, strokes, heart disease or gallstones. It is important, however, that the fat which is taken should contain the fat soluble viatmins—that is. vitamins A and D. Look also to your other vitamins, C and B, and don’t forget to see that the food is always attractively prepared, because appetitie, digestion and absorption deteriorate in old age.