THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD

Evening Star, Issue 19319, 4 August 1926, Page 10

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD

On Friday afternoon the series of health studies, with special application to tho woman in industry, was continued by Dr Marion Whyte. Following the general instructions of the previous week as to the necessary foods to be included in a wpll-balancod diet, a very useful table of quantities for a family of two adults and three children, or four adults, was provided for reference, as well as a list of vitamincs —A, B, and C. It was shown that tho correct quantities of vitamines, calorics, proteins, starch, fat, and sugar required for tho building, and upkeep of the body, could be arrived at in different ways, so that inclination and appetite could bo satisfied by a judicious arrangement of the menu. The importance of tho part played by appetite was stressed, and such aids as dainty table service, cheerful surroundings, and an appetising first coarse to the principal meal of the day were recommended. Although a poor appetite should be tempted, it was felt that, generally speaking, tho normally healthy person was prepared to eat well, given a healthy occupation and sufficient exercise. Housekeepers should endeavor to work out suitable menus for themselves, and should not restrict their diet for other Items of expenditure however desirable, as in the long run this always proves to be tho worst economy, for poor health is always expensive. This is particularly true for the woman in industry, who so frequently tries to work for long hours, in more or less trying surroundings, with only bread and butter, buns, and tea. As many women feel a distaste to meat,

fish, and poultry through having to handle it when raw, it is a relict to know that milk, cheese, and eggs can sufficiently replace them. Some knowledge of. foods and their preparation should he acquired by all workers, more particularly girls and women, tor upon food depends very largely the weli-tie-ing of the race. The next lecture will deal with some of the unsatisfactory conditions of the worker at her work.