FUSSING OVER DIET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 101, 30 April 1937, Page 6

FUSSING OVER DIET

“ r JTTE old idea which we favoured of cultivating literature on a little oatmeal would apparently not approve itself at all lo the modern educationist, who desires people to be nourished on pasteurised milk and a careful balance of proteins • and carbohydrates,” said Lord Macmillan in a recent speech. “We did very well in the old days. While it is very desirable that the student should be fit physically for mental work, I hope we shall not be too fussy about these things. There is a danger, in improving the physical condition of young men and women, that we may fuss a little too much. I only say that as a word of warning.”

The warning is indeed timely, for whenever a person gets to the fussing stage over diet a healthy appetite seems to depart. The human body is not a rigid machine, but an accommodating organism, and man is capable of enjoying good health on a variety of diets. This, however, does not imply that a science of diet eannot develop and make a very valuable contribution to the wellbeing of humanity. There are certain foods which assist various ailments, and other foods which assist the irritation, and-it is dearly wise to seek the one and avoid the other. In normal health, however, an appetite is given to a person for the very reasonable service of telling him what is good for him . to eat. Those who live for long periods in tropical countries find that it is best to eat what one fancies, because by so doing one enjoys the meal and thereby secures the maximum of nourishment.