CHILDREN'S DIET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 6 (Supplement)

CHILDREN'S DIET

Unless an active child lias plenty of fat in his daily food he will actually feed on his own body, grow thin, and waste away, In the case of children of four or five years and upwards, who are never at rest and require a great deal of fuel-food, the need for a fully supply of fat is imperative. Parents who do not appreciate this necessity are surprised that their children remain thin, notwithstanding a very good appetite and a large consumption of bread, meat, vegetables, and other nonfatty foods. What has to bo recognised is that children, put forth an enormous amount of energy in a day, probably more proportionately than a hard-working man. The food that supplies tins energy in the best form is fat, and, in a lees degree, sugar. Thus from two ounces of fat a child will get as much heat or muscle power as from a quarter of a lxnind of loan beef or from five ounces of rice, which, when cooked, would make a very largo plateful. Besides furnishing heat and energy to the body fat performs the valuable service of preventing waste of the tissues. The form in which this food is given does not matter very much so long as the child call cat it with enjoyment. Cream, butter, bacon fat, dripping, marrow fat, and suet (in puddings) are all of very similar value. Some children show a dislike for fat in any form, but it. is always possible to find a way in which their appetite may be tempted. For instance, there are few children who will refuse nicely made buttered toast, or bread fried in bacon fat, or fruit with cream, or puddings containing suet and the yolks of eggs. One-third , of the yolk of an egg ie fat.