Not all who profess to believe in dietetic reform are really
reformers. With many persons the reform consists
merely in discarding certain unwholesome foods. They do
not understand clearly the principles of health, and their
tables, still loaded with harmful dainties, are far from being
an example of Christian temperance and moderation.
Another class, in their desire to set a right example, go to
the opposite extreme. Some are unable to obtain the most
desirable foods, and, instead of using such things as would
best supply the lack, they adopt an impoverished diet. Their
food does not supply the elements needed to make good blood.
Their health suffers, their usefulness is impaired, and their
example tells against, rather than in favor of, reform in diet.
Others think that since health requires a simple diet, there
need be little care in the selection or the preparation of food.
Some restrict themselves to a very meager diet, not having
sufficient variety to supply the needs of the system, and they
suffer in consequence.
Those who have but a partial understanding of the principles
of reform are often the most rigid, not only in carrying
out their views themselves, but in urging them on their families
and their neighbors. The effect of their mistaken reforms,
as seen in their own ill-health, and their efforts to force their
views upon others, give many a false idea of dietetic reform,
and lead them to reject it altogether.
Those who understand the laws of health and who are
governed by principle, will shun the extremes, both of indulgence
and of restriction. Their diet is chosen, not for the
mere gratification of appetite, but for the upbuilding of the
body. They seek to preserve every power in the best condition
for highest service to God and man. The appetite is under
the control of reason and conscience, and they are rewarded
with health of body and mind. While they do not urge their
views offensively upon others, their example is a testimony in
favor of right principles. These persons have a wide influence
for good.
There is real common sense in dietetic reform. The subject
should be studied broadly and deeply, and no one should
criticize others because their practice is not, in all things, in
harmony with his own. It is impossible to make an unvarying
rule to regulate everyone's habits, and no one should think
himself a criterion for all. Not all can eat the same things.
Foods that are palatable and wholesome to one person may be
distasteful, and even harmful, to another. Some cannot use
milk, while others thrive on it. Some persons cannot digest
peas and beans; others find them wholesome. For some the
coarser grain preparations are good food, while others cannot
use them.
Those who live in new countries or in poverty-stricken
districts, where fruits and nuts are scarce, should not be
urged to exclude milk and eggs from their dietary. It is true
that persons in full flesh and in whom the animal passions
are strong need to avoid the use of stimulating foods. Especially
in families of children who are given to sensual habits,
eggs should not be used. But in the case of persons whose
blood-making organs are feeble,--especially if other foods to
supply the needed elements cannot be obtained,--milk and
eggs should not be wholly discarded. Great care should be
taken, however, to obtain milk from healthy cows, and eggs
from healthy fowls, that are well fed and well cared for; and
the eggs should be so cooked as to be most easily digested.
The diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals
increases, the use of milk and eggs will become more
and more unsafe. An effort should be made to supply their
place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive.
The people everywhere should be taught how to cook without
milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food
wholesome and palatable.
The practice of eating but two meals a day is generally
found a benefit to health; yet under some circumstances persons
may require a third meal. This should, however, if
taken at all, be very light, and of food most easily digested.
"Crackers"--the English biscuit--or zwieback, and fruit, or
cereal coffee, are the foods best suited for the evening meal.
Some are continually anxious lest their food, however simple
and healthful, may hurt them. To these let me say, Do
not think that your food will injure you; do not think about
it at all. Eat according to your best judgment; and when you
have asked the Lord to bless the food for the strengthening
of your body, believe that He hears your prayer, and be at
rest.
Because principle requires us to discard those things that
irritate the stomach and impair health, we should remember
that an impoverished diet produces poverty of the blood.
Cases of disease most difficult to cure result from this cause.
The system is not sufficiently nourished, and dyspepsia and
general debility are the result. Those who use such a diet are
not always compelled by poverty to do so, but they choose it
through ignorance or negligence, or to carry out their
erroneous ideas of reform.
God is not honored when the body is neglected or abused
and is thus unfitted for His service. To care for the body by
providing for it food that is relishable and strengthening is
one of the first duties of the householder. It is far better to
have less expensive clothing and furniture than to stint the
supply of food.
Some householders stint the family table in order to provide
expensive entertainment for visitors. This is unwise. In
the entertainment of guests there should be greater simplicity.
Let the needs of the family have first attention.
Unwise economy and artificial customs often prevent the
exercise of hospitality where it is needed and would be a
blessing. The regular supply of food for our tables should be
such that the unexpected guest can be made welcome without
burdening the housewife to make extra preparation.
All should learn what to eat and how to cook it. Men, as
well as women, need to understand the simple, healthful
preparation of food. Their business often calls them where
they cannot obtain wholesome food; then, if they have a
knowledge of cookery, they can use it to good purpose.
Carefully consider your diet. Study from cause to effect.
Cultivate self-control. Keep appetite under the control of
reason. Never abuse the stomach by overeating, but do not
deprive yourself of the wholesome, palatable food that health
demands.
The narrow ideas of some would-be health reformers have
been a great injury to the cause of hygiene. Hygienists
should remember that dietetic reform will be judged, to a
great degree, by the provision they make for their tables;
and instead of taking a course that will bring discredit upon
it, they should so exemplify its principles as to commend
them to candid minds. There is a large class who will oppose
any reform movement, however reasonable, if it places a
restriction on the appetite. They consult taste instead of reason
or the laws of health. By this class, all who leave the beaten
track of custom and advocate reform will be accounted radical,
no matter how consistent their course. That these persons
may have no ground for criticism, hygienists should not try
to see how different they can be from others, but should come
as near to them as possible without the sacrifice of principle.
When those who advocate hygienic reform go to extremes,
it is no wonder that many who regard these persons as representing
health principles reject the reform altogether. These
extremes frequently do more harm in a short time than could
be undone by a lifetime of consistent living.
Hygienic reform is based upon principles that are broad
and far-reaching, and we should not belittle it by narrow
views and practices. But no one should permit opposition or
ridicule, or a desire to please or influence others, to turn him
from true principles, or cause him lightly to regard them.
Those who are governed by principle will be firm and decided
in standing for the right; yet in all their associations they will
manifest a generous, Christlike spirit and true moderation.