Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
BY NELL RAY CLARKE.

TITO eat not to eat-what and why,
and II not, why not-seens to be a
moot question among modern physi-
clans and dietitians.
Count your caloriesi Watch your
vitamins!" have been the battle cries Of an
army of health enthusiasts, until the greatest
indoor sport Of the American housewife Is sur
reptitiously feeding the family on diet which
Is purported to keep all members physically mt
and fun of pep. Food experts and nutrition
specialists have hurled their dictums at our
heads until what to eat and why have become
popular topics Of conversation.
Earning the daily bread and bringing home
the bacon" have been the chief concerns OF
man from time immenorial but juggling the
bread, the bacon, the fruits and the vegetables
onto the table in the right proportions Is rap
idly becoming the chief concern Of his help
mate.
Recently, however, a noted physician Of Lon
don, Dr. Robert Hutchinson, hurled defiance at
the food authorities He told the British Medi.
cal Association that diet should be matter
Of likes and dislikeS. So the battle Of the plat
ters has begun.
.aThe semitic truth" he is reported to have
said, about all this diet business can be
summed up as follows: Eat moderately, taking
ordinary mixed diet, and don't worry about
anything else. To take no thought for what
YOU shall eat or drink Is wiser than to be
always fussing over it, Likes and dislikes.
however should be listened to; they are natures
Indication Of what probably agrees or dis
agrees"
He added that the diet faddist is about the
eommonest and most malignant crank.
What do food experts of the United States
Government think about his recommendation
that we eat what we want when We want It?
DR LOUISE STANLEY. chief of the Bureau
ntr.Ho hot In the
main Dr. Hutchinson is right but she makes one
important qualification
Eat moderately" she said, taking ordinary
mixed diet containing SUFFICIENT natural foods.
and don't worry"
The average person win from preference eat
enough variety from range OF natural foods
to give him the necessary food elements. BE
sure that over each day, or even over the pc
Rod Of the week, o well balanced ration OF
various foods Is taken. It Is not necessary, she
says that each meal shall be balanced, but that
the meals for the day or for the week contain
the elements to meet the body requirements.
But what are the natural foods?" DR.. STAN
ley was asked.
Fruits vegetables (either raw or cooked I'm
suitable ways to preserve all the vitamin con-
tent, cereal products In which large part OF
the original grain has been retained or, If You
prefer white bread and some Of the germ por-
ton Of the cereal In other forms; milk, occa-
sionaIly some Of the glandular organs such as
liver, kidney. brains. sweetbreads, fish and
honey" she replied.
THE range of natural foods Is such q broad
one especially In the United States" DR.. STAN
ley added, that It should enable every one TO
get what he needs and at the same time enable
him to select foods that he likes.
UNFORTUNATELY, there has been in the past
q tendency on the part Of students Of nutrition,
in their eagerness to put forward the necessity
for well balanced diet, to underestimate the
Importance Of palatability, individual prefer
ences and family customs. But we must re-
member that many Of the food habits among
the various races were probably built on food
choices that worked.
Appetite Is one Of the best aids TO digestion.
To that extent Shakespeare was right in say
ing that good digestion waits appetite and
health on both It would be impossible 70
balance food groups In our mind In planning
meals but there certain Of the foods In each
of these groups which the family likes to see
on the table. An housewives are much happier