MILK AND MAN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4105, 25 February 1949, Page 10

MILK AND MAN

VALUABLE FOOD CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL ONE GLASS PER DAY (By the Department of Health) Among European peoples milk has come to be regarded as a prime necessity for abundant health of men, women and children of all ages. It is nature’s food for the growing mammal and will support enormous growth for differing periods of time, depending upon the physiology of the mammal. Milk is our richest convenient source of the bone and tooth building elements, calcium and phosphorus. It is a very valuable source of three of the chief vitamins, A, Bl and 82, as well as being a small source for two others, vitamins C and D., Protein is found in generous quantity in milk, for building and repairing muscular tissue. In the form of cream and lactose respectively it is an important source of easily digested fat and carbohydrates. ■ One of the great advantages is that it requires little, if any, preparation, is plentiful and comparatively cheap. Milk is a fine all-rounder in our diet. Milk has one disadvantage. As well as being a good food for humans, it is excellent food for bacteria, some of them harmful. Pasteurisation can safeguard us from most of the danger from bacteria. Home pasteurisation is done by scalding the milk, then cooling it rapidly. Estimated human requirements for milk are: Children from weaning to two years, 1 1-3 pints daily. All other children, including adolescents, 13 pints daily. Pregnant and nursing women 15 to 2 pirtts. Other adults 1 to li pints a day. All this milk need not be taken as e beverage. It may be divided among milk puddings, milk sauce, or milk on cereals and puddings. However, for children the beverage at all meals can be milk or a milky drink such as cocoa. Adults should have at least one glass of plain or flavoured milk each day.