The Washington herald., 1912-03-24

What shall We feed the growing child?
Too much vigilance and care cannot be
exercised in choosing what children shall
eat after they have passed the exclusive
milk stage. at or about the end Of the
first year. The digestive powers are large
ly made or 10 a great measure ruined,
according to whether or not proper
watchfulness and judgment are employed
during childhood. The change from liquid
to solid food must needs be gradual. BY
the gradual addition OF suitable articles
the stomach is progressively educated to
taking care Of the more varied meals.
II Is also as important to have regu-
larity in feeding as 1t Is TO say what
should or should not be eaten. The di-
gestive glands are ready at certain times
to pour out their secretions. From twelve
to fifteen months Of age nve feedings
should be gwen in twenty-four hours,
preferably about four hours apart Forty
to fifty ounces a day Is required and
should consist OF four-fifths milk and
one-fifth starchy food. as represented by
thick gruels made Of barley, wheat, oat-
meal, farina, or arrow root. In addiuon'
fruit Juice from oranges or mellow peaches
should be given daily about an hour be-
fore one of tho meals At noon beef juice.
two teaspoonfuls. gradually Increased to
two or three tablespoonfuls, OF every
chicken or mutton broth. is advisable,
with a smaller amount of the regular
feeding However. meat juices as regu-
lar diet are objected to by many physi-
clans because they contain the animafs >
waste products. A bone may be gnawed
in that case.
At sixteen Months.
At about sixteen months a little dry
bread, cracker. or zwieback may be CIV
en- with the broth. and a little later q
soft boiled egg substituted for the broth
From eigheen months to two years
plain milk and the soft cereals, cooked
for at least three hours, or cooked over
night in a fireless cooker. forms the bulk
Of the feeding; but there should now be
an attempt at making the noon feeding
more of a meal. The following is q sam
Pile: Broth, vegetables, q little beef or
mutton. or a soft boiled egg. bread or
weIl-boiled rice, stewed prunes or baked
apple.
After the end OF the second year three
regular meals a day should gradually be
arranged An average menu for child
of about four years follows: Breakfast,
an orange, stewed prunes. or baked ap-
pie, a dish OF cereal and plenty Of cream
or milk a soft boiled or poached egg
bread or toast and a cup Of milk Din
ner at midday: Soup or broth OF vege-
tables, a little tender beefsteak, mutton
or lamb chop, or chicken; little baked
or mashed potato, one green vegetable.
as asparagus tops spinach, tender young
string beans, fresh peas, stewed celery.
These vegetables should be thoroughly
cooked without the addition Of fats or
spices For dessert. blanc mango, baked
rice bread or tapioca pudding or other
starchy food, or fruit may be given. Sup
per: Soft boiled or poached egg, milk
toast. dish of cereal, and cup Of milk
Fat Is better supplied in the form OF
cream than by butter up to five years
Of age.
After sixth Year.
After the sixth year digestion is not
so easily disturbed. but still certain
amount Of discretion is to be used. Meat
should not be allowed oftener than once
a day, as experimentation has shown
that meat given twice a day to children
under twelve years Of age cannot be
entirely dlgested, and results in intes-
tinal bacterial decomposition.
It should be Unnecessary to state that
tea and coffee should be absolutely pro-
hibited in the growing child. but unfor-
tunateiy there are many who indulge
their children In these stimulants from
q
Candy should be strictly limited in
amount. the best form in which to give
II being pure sugar candy or foudant.
Cake can be allowed in limited QAanti-
ties. the best kinds being sponge cake
and lady fingers. Both should be con-
fined to mealtime.
Injurious articles, as spices. vinegar.
fried. greasy foods and pastry. are best
kept from the child as long as possible.
u a., xii
dren, particularly the younger ones, OF
things which they have never been al
lowed to taste. The one taste Of the for |
hidden Is apt to be the entering wedge. |
The banana when ripe and not bolted Is
q most nutritious and healthful food. |
popular prejudice to the contrary.
Not less important than what the chill |
dren should eat is the manner and time |
of eating. Too much emphasis cannot I
toned. regularity OF meal hours Pro- |
miscuous attacks upon the Ice box or the |
bread box and sugar bowl should be |
discouraged.
TIE older children should sit at the |
table and eat as long as their elders. In |
this way there will be less bolting Of |
partly chewed food. Too often We wit
meal In order that he may not be late
to school, or that he may get out In the
street to play with the children.
Rest After Eating.
We are all familiar with the habits OF
the dog. for instance. who after
a fun meal goes on by the fire for
nap. So children. as well as adults.
should cultivate the habit Of resting. sit
ting. for fifteen minutes after eating.
What shall we say about water drink
uo NTH rr,aala9 AIl0r The rhlfd q much II
always providing that none be taken /
while food Is held IN the mouth
The healthy man should be able to
Dartake of all kinds OF food. the so-called
ndigestible as well as the digestible. He
will acquire the habit q indiscriminate
eating soon enough withsut starting the