The Washington times., 1917-05-01
HEALTH CHIEF GIVES
OUT A new DIETARY
Tells People Of Small Means What
Foods Are Needed.

food situation has again placed upon
the department Of health the work Of
devising economical dietaries for the
families OF this city.
In so far as the high prices are the
natural consequence Of diminished sup
piles, nothing can be said against any
plan for reducing the cost OF dietary.
Where high prices. however. are the re-
suit Of market manipulation by un-
scrupulous spectators. the complaint is
justified that sterner measures are
called for.
Some time ago the department was
severely criticised for preparing these
lists. the complaint being that this was
enabling the food barons to say to the
public: you have no right to kick
about prices Eat in accordance with
the table compiled by the health de-
partment." That complaint was jusu-
fed. yet in the interest Of humanity we
must continue our educational work In
dietaries and point out just what the
housewife should do to get wholesome
food for the least money. in the opinion
Of Dr. Charles F. Bolduan. director Of
the bureau Of public health education
Even Cheaper List Needed.
This bureau prepared last May. in Co
operation with the social service bureau
Of the Beth Israel Hospital. List Of
foods that would keep in comfortable
health a family Of two adults and three
children at a cost Of H.1 week Only
foods Of vital importance and strength
giving qualities were included A COM
Portable minimum Of food was indicated
at a minimum cost
To-day the same menu would cost
s9.42, l am informed by Investigators,
said DR.. Bolduan- Yet many OF the
families for whom the S7.31 menu
was compiled cannot AFFORD a s9.42
food bill. They must stick close to
$7.31-desperately close. The depart
msnt therefore has begun the publi-
cation OF new menus containing sub
stitutes for the foods whose prices
have made them prohibitive for poor
families.
you need food for two purposes:
"First-That the body may do its
work. Foods for this purpose are
bread, rice, corn, and other cereals,
sugar, potatoes, flour, butter, fat, oil,
etc. These are often spoken Of as
fuel foods.
"Second-That the body may re-
build body tissues such as the organs,
muscles. bones. and nerves. This Is
done mainly by such things as meat,
eggs, and milk. These are often
spoken Of as building foods
The Values of CaIories-
''The amount of food required as
fuel can be measured exactly, Just as
an engineer knows how much coal to
use to produce a required amount OF
heat. The fuel value OF food Is ex-
pressed in terms OF heat units Cr
calories. A calorie Is thu amount Of
heat necessary to bring ten cubic cen
timetres (about two teaspoonfuls) OF
water from freezing point to boiling.
Clerks, stenographers and the av-
erage adult office workers need about
$500 calories a day. Mechanics and
artisans require 5000 to $500. Labor
ers, longshoremen and others doing
manual work must have $500 to 4,500
these should be in the form of
starches and fats. The body needs
mineral salts. These can be best OBJ
tained In milk, fruits, and green vege-
tables.
an arranging the S7.31 menu, 1t
was estimated that the head Of the
family and chief worker receive 5000
calories, the mother $500, one child
900 and two children 1000 each. If
we could devise some method of max
ing certain that such an arrangement
would be adhered to by the people OF
the city there would be a material re-
duction in the mortality percentage.
Last years rate of deaths In this city
was the lowest on record, 1889 per
1000 of population This could be fur
ther reduced by proper attention to
eating.
"a cup of cocoa will yield $50 calor-
les and nine grams OF protein. A
baked apple with cream will supply
25O calories of fuel for the body and
two grams of protein. Two heaping
spoonfuls OF macaroni baked with
cheese will give you 440 calories, con-
tanning nineteen grams of protein. In
a slice OF apple pie are 800 calories
and four grams OF protein. The cubic
inch OF cheese that is given with the
pie contains 800 calories OF fuel and
nine protein grams.
Whole Wheat Bread Recommended.
whole wheat bread is recommend
ed, inasmuch as 1t Is rich in protein
and mineral salts.
Unless food Is properly prepared,
good health is impossible. However
nourishing foodstufs OF themselves
may be, their values are lost to
large extent IL improperly prepared
"a great variety OF foods is not nee
essary. Peas, beans, fish, and cheese
give TO the body the same nourish-
ment as meat and at less cost.
1T is just as important to know
what foods to avoid as to know what
foods to select. 1t is not economical
to buy prepared foods, such as corned
beef, smoked beef, tongue, and similar
foods usually sold in delicatessen
stores. Tea and coffee are not nour-
ishing, and do not help the body; they
tend to nervousness. Use cocoa. 1t is
easily prepared, and is a most nour-
ishing drink.
Tho toughest cuts OF meat are the
cheapest but they are just as nutritious
as the expensive cuts. BY long. slow
cooking they can be made very tender
and palatable. To keep the juice and
preserve the flavor, heat the meat on
all sides. press It down quickly on a
hot pan and then cook slowly on a low
fire. Fish. as a substitute once or twice
easily digested.
People must learn to feed themselves
properly. By that l mean they must
teach themselves the mode OF prepara-
ton OF foods. Rice Is seldom cooked
efficiently. In the Chinese restaurants
you will get rice served in dry. single
bits. In most kitchens. however. the
rice is cooked into a pudgy. pulpy mass