FOOD IN CAMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24127, 20 November 1941, Page 6

FOOD IN CAMPS

Sir, —Your correspondent "J.F.T." is obviously not scientifically-minded. He infers, because there are no complaints from the boys, and the cooks are "renowned for their cooking," that all is well. Of course there are no complaints from the boys. They have the best food the Dominion can produce—and rightly so —there is plenty of choice for the diet-conscious, but those who care to risk it (and they are legion) can indulge in large quantities of white bread and jam and meat three times a day if they wish. The point is if these things are not in the interests of their health why are they available? Good food habits are acquired not inherited, so why pander to people's perverted appetites if so doing contributes to the incidence of disease in the camps. Fit men passed as such leading a healthy outdoor life on a well balanced diet do not readily contract disease. The germs fall on "barren ground"

and epidemics major or minor cannot exist. As for them being "herded together in camps they are not as much so as in towns and their life should be more natural and healthy. I have nothing personally against the camp cooks; they are no doubt stout fellows doing a man's job, but are their methods those of 1918 or 1941? Are they cooking in the light of modern nutrition and have they had any training similar to that given to army cooks in the Middle East, where such a high standard of health has been achieved? To return to the original point of controversy—namely, the cooking of our now "luxury foods"—vegetables, perhaps "J.F.T.," being on the spot, could answer the following questions: (1) Are they soaked in water before being cooked? (2) Are they steamed or cooked quickly in a small amount of water? (3) Is this water saved for soups, gravies, etc., or is it thrown away? (4) Is any soda added to the water in which they are cooked? (5) Are potatoes served baked in their skins or are they always peeled and boiled? (6) Is some raw green vegetable included in the day's menu? If "J.F.T." can give a satisfactory answer to all these questions I will retire gracefully with still more — Food von Thought.