Children well and happy

by May Dickinson Kimball

Proteids. The proteids build and repair the tissues of the body and include such substances as the lean of meat and fish, the white of egg, milk, and parts of vegetables. Dried peas, dried beans, and nuts contain large percentages of proteid.

Carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Carbohydrates form the essential parts of vegetables and furnish body heat and muscular power. Foods containing a large percentage of starch are bread, potatoes, rice, macaroni, tapioca, and cereals. Such foods as candy, maple sirup, honey, and molasses are almost entirely sugar; while carrots, parsnips, and beets contain a large percentage of sugar.

Fats. Fats are the energy-producing part of our diet. They may be of either vegetable or animal origin—as cream, butter, yolks of eggs, nuts, meat, and fish fats.

Mixed diet. A mixed diet consisting of all the food elements in proper proportion is necessary to supply material for the normal growth of the body. Everyone should eat vegetables freely not only because they are good for the bowels (acting as a wholesome laxative) but also because many of them, especially the green vegetables, contain important organic matter, such as iron.

Bread and butter. Bread has often been called the staff of life. In other words, bread and butter alone form an almost perfectly balanced meal. Bread should never be eaten until it is at least twenty-four hours old. Stale bread cut thin and toasted in the oven until it is crisp is appetizing and wholesome. Instead of giving large amounts of bread and butter to children three times a day, mothers should substitute in part vegetables and fruits.

Coarse foods. Coarse foods are especially valuable because they require thorough mastication, which is the real function of the teeth. This helps to keep the tongue and teeth clean. Another reason for giving coarse foods to children is that the circulation of blood in the gums and throat is improved by chewing.

Milk. Milk contains all the essential elements of a well-balanced diet and is one of the most important foods. It should be taken slowly and with other food, such as graham crackers, and should constitute an important part of the diet of every child. Children up to fourteen years of age should take milk, or milk flavored with cocoa, in the place of tea and coffee.

Water. While water is not classed as a food, it makes up three fifths of the total of the fluids of the body and aids in the elimination of the waste products of the body. All foods contain some water, while fruits and vegetables are largely composed of it. A glass of water should be taken before breakfast, in the middle of the morning, and in the afternoon, and two glasses in the evening. One glass may be taken with the meals if it is taken after the food in the mouth has been swallowed. Six or eight glasses of water should be taken during every twenty-four hours.

Candy. Many people believe that candy is harmful. This is because children, and indeed adults, are apt to eat it at the wrong time and to eat too much of it at one time; nevertheless it has high food value, and a little pure candy eaten once a day, after a meal, is healthful.

Bowels. When there is any trouble with the stomach or bowels look for the cause in some mistake or indiscretion in the diet. The family physician should be consulted.