The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-08-04
QUANTITY OF FOOD.

QUANTITY OF FOOD.
To the question which has been frequent
ly put to us-What quantity of food is best
adapted to the preservation of health ?-no
satisfactory answer can be given, without
reference to the habits, occupation, and age
of each individual; the degree of health he
enjoys, as we'll as to the season of the year,
and other circumstances. As a general
sale, it will he found, that those who exer-
else much in the open air, or follow labori-
Gus occupations, will demand a larger a.
mount of food, than the indolent or the sed-
entary. Young persons, also, commonly re-
qaire more than those advanced in years
and the inhabitants of cold, more than those
of warm climates. We say this is a gen.
eral rule; for very many exceptions are to
be found in each of these particulars. Thus,
we not unfrequently find that one individu-
al requires more food to support his system
than another of the same frame of body and
trade, and who partakes of the same degree
of exercise. In fact, one person will sup
port his strength, or even become more ro-
bust upon the same quantity of food, which
will occasion in another debility and ema-
citation.
If we refer to the brute creation, which
are guided in this respect by an instinct
which but rarely errs, we find that one horse
requires more food than another of similar
age and size, and with the same degree of
exercise and if his accustomed quantity be
diminished, he viii become thin and spirit
less. The same is true, also, in respect to
other animals.
Every person, arrived at the age of ma
turity, or even before, should be able to
Judge for himself, as to the quantity of food
proper for each meal, as well as TO the fire.
quency with which it should be repeated
during the day. Few appear, however, to
be aware of the important fact, that the
body is nourished, not in proportion to the
amount, or even the nutritious qualities Of
the food which is consumed, but to the
quantity which the stomach actually digests.
All beyond this disorders the stomach; and
if the excess he frequently INDUCED in, the
latter becomes finally incapable Of convert
lng into nutriment even a sufhciency for the
support of the system. Most persons act as
though the strength, vigor, and health of
the body rise in proportion to the load Of
food they are capable Of forcing daily into
the stomach; and hence overlooking is the
commen error, at least in our own country,
A slight deficiency of food is, however, far
less injurious than too great an amount
The old maxim, If health be your object,
rise from the table before the appetite is
sated," is founded in truth; and though the
Epicure will sheer at it, yet, were he wisely
to adhere to il, he would save himself from
many gloomy hour of pain and suffering.
When the stomach is not laboring under
disease, and the individual is otherwise in
health, the natural appetite is one of the
very best guides-ths only one indeed, as
to the time for eating, as well as to the
quantity of food. Whenever such appetite
exists, wholesome food may and ought to be
taken; we should cease from eating the
moment it is satisfied.
The eccentric author Of Emlius makes
the following very judicious remarks in ref
-erence to the diet Of children -
Whatever regimen you prescribe for
children, provided you only accustom them
to plain and simple food, you may let them
eat, run, and play as much as they please,
and you may be sure they will never eat too
much, or be troubled with indigestion. But
if you starve them half the day, and they
find means to escape your observation, they
will make themselves amends, and eat till
they are sick, or even burst.
sour appetite is only unreasonable, be-
cause we choose to regulate it by other
laws than those Of nature. Always laying
down arbitrary rules, governing, prescrib-
ing, adding, retrenching, we never do any
thing without the scales in our hands; and
this balance is formed according to the
measure of our fancies, and not according 10
that Of our stondchs."
The foregoing remarks win equally apply
to the adult, as to the child. 1t is impor-
tant, however, that the balance" Of the
stomach be not rendered untrue by the arts
of cookery-in other words, that an artif-
eial appetite be not created by variety OF
luxurious dishes-by sauces, condiments,
and wine.
II is surprizing, how often the stomach
within very short space Of time, may be
nrtihcially excited to a renewed desire for
food. The man, however, who eats under
such circumstances, must not be surprised
at his uncomfortable feelings and frequent
ailments. He has scarcely more right TO
expect health and long life, than the indiyid-
ual who would attempt to noursh himself
with poison.--JoMrnal Of Health.
RTGHr. The editor Of the New York Com.
mercial Advertiser, says--H We must be per.
mitted TO conduct our own business Our cor
respondent does not seem to be- aware. that
any editor who should struggle 10 please every
body, every day, would find himself in the luna.
ie asylum in a week