CHILDREN NEED ENERGY FOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 7 (Supplement)

CHILDREN NEED ENERGY FOOD

■ Br SIR WILLIAM ARBtTTHNOT LANE. • How many parents really understand the dietetic principles of the body during ' the critical years of youth? Haphazard feeding of the children may have serious repercussions on their health. The salient point to keep in mind in considering a child's diet is the normal child is very active, and is adding new tissue to the body day. Therefore the child must have more flesh-form-ing food;; than an adult, and relatively more energy foods. Actually a boy or girl' in the teens will require more , " calories " (food units) than an adult in 1 sedentary employment. Children, then, should be allowed to e&t freely until their appetite is satisfied —a large appetite being no cause for worry, but a sign of health. It is also to be kept in mind that children need a fuller complement of vitamins than adults, for certain of iheso are essential for growth. In the.daily rations of the child there should always • figure a certain amount of animal protein in the form of • e.?gs, cheese, meat, or fish, as well as the protein provided by vegetables and cereals. Milk is a very valuable food for children, and it would greatly benefit their stamina iii from half to one pint of milk were included daily in their dietary. Sugar is best provided in the form of honey and dried fruits, such as dates and figs, while fats are obtained from butter «ind beef dripping, which also supply vitamins A and D. Wholemeal bread should be given plentifully, while raw, fresh fruit should be available at every meal. Children should also be encouraged to plenty of green vegetable salads with their chief meal. Milk puddings made '• with refined cereals are commonly disliked by children, and their instinct in this respect is right. It is much better . to substitute a fruit salad for this unpopular dish. Compact and hard foods, which exercise their teeth and jaws, are always preferable to soft, pappy foods. It is impossible here t<? do more than offer a few guilding considerations concerning the children's dietary. Parents !*re advised to study the subject deeply. « will be worth while, for if they apply their knowledge they will be rewarded ;v, oy seeing their children grow up sturdy . fl nd happy and able to withstand the onslaughts of disease.