A SQUARE MEAL

Evening Star, Issue 19843, 17 April 1928, Page 11

A SQUARE MEAL

IS H.Z.'S DIET SATISFACTORY? HOME ECONOMICS LECTURE Some interesting introductory matter relative to the series of homo economic lectures to bo given in the Home Science School of the Otago University was delivered to a large audience last evening by Miss IS. Todhunter,. of Christchurch. Miss Todhuntcr made statements which prove that, as a result of her scientific investigations, she is not altogether satisfied that the New Zealand meal, called '‘square,” is as satisfactory as it might be. It has peculiarities and deficiencies, and these, together with any remedies which are necessary. will he treated at-future lectures.

•Miss Todhuntcr was welcomed by Professor Strong on behalf of the Otago Home Economies Association, the speaker, assisted by Miss Gregory and Miss Aslin, outlining the experimental programme to bo carried out in the near future. She stated that in Otago they were working on the subject in a most scientific manner, and with the help of actual practical information from various people it was hoped that valuable information would be obtained lor the building up ol menus.

Miss Todhuntcr, in dealing with the study of diets, stressed the value of food from the point of view of health. The food factor, however, was only one link in a chain, other links being fresh air, sunlight, and exercise. In New Zealand, which appeared to he a land of milk and honey, there was enough food for all, but, although children here wore not starved for food in regard to quantity, there was a decided want of the right kind of food. Figures taken from the Director-Gen-eral’s health report showed that 63 per cent, of the school children in this country suffered from dental caries, thus proving the effect food had on the teeth.

In explaining tlio functions of the various kinds of foods, the speaker referred to a house as an illustration representing the human .body, and assigned to the different parts ot the structure the foods that went to build it up. The uses of minerals, milk, eggs, vegetables, proteins, meat, butter, bread, sugar, vitamins, fruit, and cereals were all outlined. She stated tbait (information accruing from a thorough investigation in Christchurch showed that the number of times certain foods wore used each week in New Zealand homes was as follows;—Meat eleven, vegetables six, green vegetables two, fruit six, brown bread one. New Zealand bad a reputation lor being the highest meat eating country in the world. Meat was a good food, hut whether or not it should ho used to that extent would be considered at a later lecture, (freon vegetables wore useful as regards (heir iron-giving properties, and that they appeared only twice in the, weekly menus was a matmater to he regretted. ' All home science people were keen on .stressing the importance of milk. Tt was desirable (hat one and three-(|uartor imperial pints of milk should ho taken each day, or at a minimum two small glasses full. Wc were far short of this mark; it was a pity that New Zealand, a dairying country, was not dairy fed. fluttered toast and tea seemed to ho the children’s breakfast in tin's country: this was quite inadequate for either a young child nr a working man, and yet a-qnarter of the families which were tested breakfasted in tins manner. Moreover, one-third of them ate an unsatisfactory tea consisting of tea, bread, butter, in in, and cake; food of this nature produced tlahby fat instead of muscle, faulty hones, and faulty teeth. People needed more green vegetables and more fruit. They needed fruit at breakfast lime, and savories, cheese, milk, etc., for tea. Portlier experiments which had been carried out- involved the composition of New Zealand’s “square meal.” Tn the ideal square meal proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins find to lie used, hul, following investigations made in twelve households selected from different grades of life, it was found out that as far as New Zealand was concerned people were using more proteins and carbohydrates than was necessary, while, on the other hand, there was a deficiency in the minerals and vitamins (as far as the last-named could he judged). We were getting plenty of calories from the broad, butter, and jam teas, and plenty of fats from the carbohydrates. As regards cereals, the deficiency was greater than that in most other countries.' That minerals, containing phosphorus and iron, took a low place was a serious matter, hut this aspect would ho dealt with at n future lecture.