| Amount of Food | Calories | |
| 2 | tablespoonfuls fruit with sugar | 55 |
| 2 | eggs | 140 |
| 1/2 | pound lean meat (protein) | 243 |
| 1 | pound bread | 1206 |
| 1/2 | pint soup | 307 |
| 1 | tablespoonful cocoa | 135 |
| 2 | potatoes (average size) | 100 |
| 1/2 | pint of milk | 150 |
| 2 | pats butter (1 cubic inch) | 119 |
| 2 | tablespoonfuls sugar | 112 |
| 2567 |
Dr. Chittenden’s experiments would indicate that a man leading a very active life, and above the average in body weight, can maintain his body in equilibrium indefinitely with a daily intake of thirty-six to forty grams of protein, or albuminoid food, with a total fuel value of 1600 calories.
In order to bring oneself to as limited a diet as Professor Chittenden’s men followed, however, it would be necessary to have all food weighed so as to be sure of the correct proportions; otherwise the actual needs would not be supplied and the body would suffer.
It is a question whether the men with whom he experimented could have followed so limited a diet for an indefinite period.
As stated, however, authorities differ on the amount of food required.
| Dr. Hall suggests | 106 grams of protein |
| Ranke suggests | 100 grams of protein |
| Hultgren and Landergren suggest | 134 grams of protein |
| Schmidt suggests | 105 grams of protein |
| Forster and Moleschott suggest | 130 grams of protein |
| Atwater suggests | 125 grams of protein |
A wise provision of Nature enables the body to throw off an excess of food above its needs without injury, within limitations; but, as stated, there is no doubt that the average person exceeds these limits, exhausting the digestive organs and loading the system with more than it can eliminate; the capacity for mental work becomes restricted, and the whole system suffers.
Mixed Diet versus a Vegetarian Diet
From the fact that only from two to four ounces of nitrogenous food are required to rebuild daily tissue waste, it is apparent that this amount can readily be supplied from the vegetable kingdom, since nuts, legumes, and cereals are rich in proteins; yet there is a question whether a purely vegetable diet is productive of the highest physical and mental development. Natives of tropical climates live on vegetables, fruits, and nuts, and it may be purely accidental, or be due to climatic or other conditions, that these nations have not made the greatest progress. Neither have the Eskimos, who live almost entirely on meat, attained the highest development.