Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-01
FOOD AND HEALTH
BY WINIFRED STUART GIBBS.
Food Specialist.

OF course, it stamps one as being
| frightfully old.fashioned to confess TO
| the possession of a philosophy, Wnetner
| of life or of manners. Our fiapper al
| visers win tell us that the tnlng IS
| discarded absolutely nevertheless
now and again we of an earlier genera
| ton find a few anchors comforting.
Therefore, we need not streLcn
point unduly If we allow ourselves q
| bit of fireside reflection as to just
what we wish to accomplish aIter al
| by all this study and occasional prac-
| tice of dietary rules.
Was Epicurus. for example, a sooo
| dietitian? There is undoubtedly
warming thrill when we hear our
| selves described as "epicurean. II
| seems to surround us with an atmos-
| phere Of discrimination ana tas1e.
| Then, too. have we not the h1ghest
authority for the statement that cell
cate fare and dainty service actually
contribute to health? But DO we
know how to steer a steady course De-
| tween indulgence and the enjoyment
Of a we'll balanced sutficiency!
Epicurus, we find. If we delve into
his history, preached a doctrine OF
| what the dictionary calls "rehned Vo-
righteousness" Please for it's own
sake IS Sdlu TO nave pCch AiA'' 'iS6~
| So evidently this old philosopher VIII
| not be a safe guide.
The truth of the matter is that we
shall do we'll to consider whether we
are happiest with the slim silhouette
of fashion or the all-around health
that accompanies adequate food. To
| reduce" to the point Of fitness" of
a truth that were wisdom, but to
starve to the point of matchlike pro-
portions-well, that is all too frequent
ly to throw actual happiness away
with the energy so blithely discarded.
Or suppose we are among the minor
ity, swapping scornful fingers at fash
ions dictates What care we for
sylphlike forms when we are able to
"eat when we are hungry? All very
well. But are we careful to balance
our inclinations as we'll as our diet?
Do you prefer an Observation-Disclosures
or-tomorrowwe-die" philoso-
ply to the Incompatible thrill-the
younger generation would no doubt
call it a "kick"--to be derived from
the realization that you are master of
your digestion, and that you can
achieve that perfect coordination of
muscles, nerves and mind that only
complete nutrition will give? For If
we leave out the reducing" sister
hood it is probable that a goodly share
Of the remainder of the human family
eats too much. StomachS are loaded
with heavy "made" dishes when they
are clamoring for fresh vegetables and
milk. Kidneys are given more nitro
gen than they can possibly dispose of.
Intestinal systems are most sinned
against, but are expected daily to rid
the body of an accumulation of waste
products that should properly repre-
sent the work of at least two days.
And all because we enjoy the flavor of
q luxurious meal more than the clear
brain and responsive muscles that are
the heritance Of the wise eater.
1t is not in the least necessary to
assume a high moral attitude in the
matter. The rewards of right choices
in diet are as definite as those that
follow the realization of life values.
If, as some one expresses 1t, "charac-
ter Is the history of ones choices"
then nutrition is equally so.
If the raillike fapper will eat more
the obese gourmet less; If the harassed
housewife will but remember that she
has a responsibility to her own body
and not let John and the children's
meals interfere with her own; in short,
If every one of us will formulate a
philosophy of diet that shall help him
make the most of his own powers
this somewhat hectic planet will
slowly but surely become a different
place for us to live in.