River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-09-15
DIET FOR BUSINESS MEN.
suggestions for Maintaining Proper Nour
ishnent.

suggestions for Maintaining Proper Nour-
ishment.
Two factors are essential for the
proper nourishment of the brain: the
requisite quantity and quality of food
and healthy condition of the digest
i've organs There is a very intimate re-
lation between brain and stomach.
They must work tremendously to-
gether il the best results are to be OBJ
tanned. Brain exhaustion and contin-
nous depressing emotions, worry and
anxiety cause arrangement of digestion
by retarding the secretion of fluid upon
which digestion depends. On the other
hand. food in insufficient or in excess
sive quantities, and indigestible food,
affects the brain by causing sluggishness
of thought ami diminution of mental
vigOr. Brain and stomach cannot per-
form their functions to best advantage
simultaneously.
During the process of digestion the
stomach requires more blood than at
other times, and part of this extra
supply is drawn from the brain. If the
brain is forced to work during the pc
riod of active digestion the stomach will
be deprived of a certain proportion of
the blood required. Mental activity ne
.essitates an increased flow of blood to
the brain. and as tn ought is t. a GER
tain extent controlled by the will, while
digestion is not, it follows that when
thought and digestion are carried on to-
yether the brain will always take the
blood needed by the stomach. If this be
habitual, il soon leads to pronounced
dyspepsia. and chronic dyspepsia, in its
turn, BY irritation of the nervous sys-
tenn, incapacitates even an abnormally
vigorous brain.
In the light of these facts it is i'm
portant for business men to understand
the relations between brain work and
digestion, so that they may obtain the
best work from both brain and stomach.
1t is impossible to prescribe diet suit
able to every individual. but certain
rules can be formulated which will APP
ply to the average man. A breakfast
consisting of a moderate quantity of
oatmeal or some other cereal, a couple
of eggs cooked in any desired way, or,
in place of the eggs, chop or piece
I
cept veal, pork and corned beef; pota-
toes, bread and butter, aud one cup of
coffee, together with some form of
fruit, if desired, viii be amply sufficient
to meet all the requirements of nature
and TO satisfy all needed nutrition,
even i'm those who habitually perform
severe and prolonged mental or physi-
cal work. Hot biscuit and hot cakes
may be indulged in sparingly. Gener-
| ally speaking, a light breakfast will be
better borne by the stomach than large
quantities of food Breakfast should
be finished an hour and a half before
active mental work begins. Reading
the papers and a moderate walk, leis-
urely conducted, are rather calculated
to assist than retard digestion. Violent
exercise Immediately following a meal
should be avoided The midday meal
| is to the business man the most inn
portant of the day. Imprudence at this
time, when the mind is most actively
engaged, is often the cause of severe
| dyspepsia. The man who goes from his
lunch To any work demanding concen-
tration of thought and clearness of in
telle.t should make the selection of his
| lunch a study, and should neither de-
prive himself of fool which his system
requires nor indulge in diet which,
while it pleases the palate, cannot fail
either to result in mental hebetude
while the process of digestion is prog
ressing. or If the brain is made to work,
/ the sowing of the seeds of dyspepsia.
Such food as plain soups, cold chicken,
milk, crosses. lettuce. rice, rice pud-
| ding, sandwiches of beef or lamb, bread
and butter, and plain cake will be
amply sufficient to preserve nutrition,
and vet so readily assimilated that brain
work does not materially interfere with
their digestion.
Alcohol in any form should not be
taken and pastry AID ice-cream should
be especially avoided Fifteen minutes
should be spent in light reading or con
versation before severe mental labor is
begun. \ light cigar Immediately
after lunch aids digestion. 1t is in the
evening. when work is done, that the
| substantial meal of the day should be
/ taken. Restrictions in regard toarticles
/ of diet at this time are not, as rule,
necessary, though of course the stomach
should not be overloaded. The diet.
| however, should be generous and the
surroundings enjoyable.-Food.