USE MORE MILK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 14

USE MORE MILK

(Contributed by the Home Science Extension Service.)

We all agree that young growing things—be they babies, calves, puppies, or kittens—require milk for their.development, yet we often find that as soon as children are -old enough to eat "grown up" food (in which we often forget to include milk) their allowance of milk is reduced. The reason for so doing is often merely because the child says lie does not like it. We must realise that children are not born with marked likes and dislikes. When such habits are formed they may well be attributed to imitation of the parents or of adults in the child's environment. Imitation is one of the earliest instincts to make itself evident during infancy and childhood. We arc all used to hearing people say that milk is the best food for growth and development and perhaps have wondered why. This is answered when we, look f.t the composition of this natural foodstuff: 1. The tissue building material or proteins in milk are of high nutritive value, and under normal conditions they are ns completely digested and absorbed as any of the food proteins. 2. The fat of milk is in a state of emulsion and so is more readily available to the body than most other fats, except that of eggs. 3. The milk sugar, or lactose, is already in solution and has an advantage over cane sugar in that it is less susceptible to fermentation and thereby less liable to irritate the stomach during digestion. 4. Mineral matter —Calcium and phosphorus particularly—are present in abundance and as a rule the calcium content of the diet depends on the amount of milk consumed. We believe that there is a definite relationship behveen the very low consumption of milk in New Zealand and the alarmingly high incidence of poor and decayed teeth, particularly with our young people. 5. Vitamins are liberally supplied in milk, particularly A, B, and D. The presence of Vitamin C is influenced by the food of the cow and also the amount of heating to which the milk is subjected in preparation of the meals. To ensure a good supply of Vitamin C for -i child, it is advisable to include one tablespoon-' ful of fresh fruit juice or vegetable juice daily. The best to use are orange, grapefruit, or tomato juices. Milk should be the foundation of every diet—allow one pint per day for adults and one pint and a-half per day for children, but always be sure that the milk comes from tested cows, and that it is protected from dust and germs during handling. Furthermore, in the home it should be covered and kept in a cool, airy place, otherwise it will quickly become a fruitful breeding ground for germs. Right balance in the diet will not make a person excess in weight. Milk contributes to normal growth and health, the protein present building strong, firm muscles and the mineral, especially calcium (lime), helping to build strong, healthy teeth and bones. The vitamins present help tig to build up the body's resistance against disease, hence wo should use milk freely not as a luxury and not a drink, but as a substantial and necessary everyday food.