The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-10-17
Homemakers' Column
Edited by Miss Mildred Barton, Home
Demonstration Agent for Garrett
County, Oakland.

According to the Bureau of Home
Economics here are some of the ques-
tions most frequently asked by home
makers from every part of the
country:
Question: I have been told that
oranges lose their vitamin C few
minutes after they are cut and
squeezed for juice. Is this true?
Answer: Fortunately, orange juice
does not lose its vitamin c for some
time after it is squeezed. And oranges
and orange juice rate as top notch
sources of this important vitamin, es-
pecially during the winter when other
fresh fruits and vegetables may be
scarce. If you put orange juice in
covered container and keep it in the
refrigerator, there is little loss of
vitamin C until the second day.
O.: Why are canned tomatoes al
ways near the top of the list of foods
rich in vitamin C, when other canned
vegetables are not even mentioned?
A: To begin with, fresh tomatoes
are richer in vitam C than most other
vegetables. And the acid of the to-
matoes keeps the vitamin c from be-
ing destroyed in the canning process.
O.: During the winter l buy canned
vegetables rather than fresh ones be-
cause they are cheaper and it takes
less fuel to cook them. Also | can't
keep fresh vegetables on hand very
long. Now | am wondering whether
the canned vegetables are as good
for us as the fresh ones. Do they
furnish all the food values we need?
A.: Canned vegetables have about
the same food value that fresh vege-
tables have after they are cooked.
But be sure to use the liquid from
your canned vegetables. Serve it
with the vegetables or use it in max
ing soups, stews, and gravies. This
liquid contains minerals and some
vitamins, which you won't want to
waste if you're trying to make your
food money go as far as possible If
you don't use fresh vegetables your
diet may be low in vitamin C, so be
sure to use generous amounts Of cit
rus fruits and fresh or canned toma-
toes. It's always good plan also to
have some raw fruits or vegetables
in your meals each day. They furnish
vitamins, and they give you variety
in texture and flavor so your meals
are more interesting.
O.: I've been reading about the
large surplus Of prunes, and feel that
| ought to be serving them often.
What food values do they contain?
A: Prunes are a good source of
Iron and they also provide some cal
cium-two minerals that you have to
check carefully in planning your meals
each day. Prunes also contribute some
vitamin B and some vitamin A to the
diet. Aside from food values, you'll
do well to make use of prunes be-
cause they are low cost fruitful
of flavor and easy to keep on hand.
O.: Is it necessary to supplement
the diet with vitamins in concentrated
form, such as pills and tablets?
A: For normal, healthy persons it
is best to depend on a wise selection
of foods for the necessary vitamins.
For children, eXpectant mothers, and
mothers who are nursing their babies
the nutritionists recommend fsh-liver
oil as source of vitamins A and D.
Otherwise, vitamin concentrates
should be taken under the advice of a
physician who has determined the
reason the patient needs extra vita
Minis. He is the one to tell you what
kind of concentrates to take and how
much.