Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-22
THE IMP ORTAN OF
ESTABLISHING FOOD
HABITS

Teaching a child TO eat proper food
is one OF the most important duties of
mother. 1t is natural for child TO
form definite tastes for certain foods
with the result that he either acquires
a dislike or fondness for foods which
are essential TO his we'll being.
The food which is given 10 young
children will have great bearing on
their future health. Many OF the
stomach troubles which develop in
later years and malnourishcd condi-
tons, can he laid to improper diet
during childhood. There are certain
fundamental rules which a mother
must follow in feeding her child.
Regularity IS very essential. As far
as possible a child should never be
permitted to eat between meals, nor
should he be forced 10 partakc Of food
when he is not hungry. A child may
be tempted TO cat by arousing his in
terest i'll how to become strong, etc,
but if an attempt is made to force
him, he is certain 10 react with the
result that he will not be contented and
in good spirits.
Food cannot be thoroughly assimi-
lated if eaten by a person i'll a dis.
turbed state of mind. This applies
equally 10 children or adults. A Jolly
family spirit at the dinner table is far
more valuable in preventing simple
forms OF indigestion than all the
medicines TO be found i'll the corner
drug stores. -.
DO not allow a child TO hurry
through a meal, and swallow his food
without thoroughly masticating it,.
For perfect digestion it is necessary
for the saliva to thoroughly mix with
the food before it is passed on to the
digestive organs--this can only be ac-
complishcd by thorough mastication.
The need of cleanliness in preparing
food, and the serving OF it is, Of
course, so evident that it is hardly
necessary 10 mention it, Cleanliness in
serving food rot only assures us Of
safety, but also makes the food more
palatablc.
Many children are really suffering
from malnutrition. although they get
an apparent abundance of food. This
statement seems rather absurd, but let
us see. The human system needs a
certain quantity Of food elements to-
supply material for growth. and the ;
fuel needed for energy. In this article;
we cannot 20 into the details, but it is ,
obvious IN order to obtain these ncces- ;
sary elements, several different types !
OF food must be included in diet. A.
child might be fed an abundance of {
meat with very little fruits and vege-
tables, and woud suffer as a result.
Variety then is most essential. In the
course of day a child should be-
given milk, eggs, meat or fish, cereal
Of some sort, vegetables, and fruits
Milk is the one food which contains,
all of the essential element. for
growth. 1t is for this reason that it
has been termed the perfect food.
Children derive practically all their.
nourishment from milk during the
infant stage. Why then should it be
dropped from their diet simply be-
cause they have advanced in age?!
Perhaps the taste for milk has left;
them. If so, favor il little or try
condensed milk. Condensed milk has
been used frequently for infant feed
ing with good results. It is equally.
nourishing in the case of growing chill;
dren, and can be served in place Of
raw milk by mixing two tablespoon:
fuls of condensed milk to two-thirds
Of cup of cold water. As rule Al
child likes the sweetencd Aavor--and
the sugar is good energy producer.
In order to be sure that the child
has received proper food, and at the;
same time establishing proper food;
habits, mother should be certain that
the diet has sufficient variety, and Is
served regularly. Above all be sure
that. the chiId's diet contains a liberal.
supply Of milk.