Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Diet Aids War
Canada's Eating Habits
Undergo Change
BY B. T. Richnrdsnn.

forces, have turned their attention TO
the diet of the civilian population In a
national nutrition campaign that is ex-
Of the Nation in 1913
The war is changing Canadian food
habits in any case. as shortages devotion
IN priority foods such as meat and
dairy products being shipped to forces
overseas and to populations in Britain
and elsewhere. The nutrition campaign.
conducted through existing health serv-
ices newspaper and other printed pub
licity, educational films and public speak,
ers, will seek to improve the health Of
Canadians through diet.
There is no shortage Of food in Cam
ada, though certain products have be-
come scarce through diversion Of supplies
to war zones. Greece, for instance, Is
getting $4,000 tons Of Canadian supplies
monthly as a gift. Canada produces
twice as much food as its population
needs and has done so for years. But
military records disclosed what nutrition
experts had claimed, that diet was be-
low standard in many sections of the
population.
Health Caused Many Reflections.
The Royal Canadian Air Force has
rejected rs per cent of all applicants
FOR enlistments on grounds of health
and air personnel enlistments do not
extend over 30 years of age study of
medical examinations of $4,000 applicants
for the Canadian Army revealed that
only 81 per cent qualified by army stand
ards for active service. Not all rejects
were due to faulty diet, but the evidence
was plain that wide scope for improve
ment existed in the food habits Of
Canada.
Director of the nutrition drive is DR..
l.. B. PETIT, chief of nutrition services
division Of the Department of National
Health Nationwide surveys show. said
Dr.. Pett, that many Canadians are not
eating sufficient of the right foods, the
main deficiencies being in the B vitamins.
Vltamin G, calcium, iron and vitamin A.
In terms OF food" he said, this means
an inadequate use of beans, carrots,
cereals, cheese, eggs, green vegetables.
liver, milk, nolasses and tomatoes"
Vitamin b Bread.
Biggest single advance In general nu-
triton has been the introduction within
the past year Of vitamin B bread. OBJ
tanned not by fortifying flour with
Vltamlns as in Britain, but by develop
ment of new milling processes to retain
the extremely high percentage of vitamin
B complex in Canadian hard wheat.
The Canadian Army Navy and Air Force
were switched to vitamin bread in 1912.
With the civil population it is still a
matter OF choice in buying -four and
bread.
What the scientists have done for
Canadas soldiers may now be done for
the people generally. man who puts
on the Canadian uniform, so the experts
claim, is INTENTIONALLY better of than he
ever was at home and he Is Gkelv tn
acquire food habits that will make GER
tain ne never drops into low medical
category when and If he returns to civil
life.
Inc Canadian Army and Air Force
have standing committee on nutrition
that has revised rations. Meat was cut
down from Is to IL ounces a day, bread
was cut from Is to II ounces a dav. milk
was doubled in quantity, and good GUAM
titles OF eggs, canned tomatoes, fresh
fruits and solid materials we're added.
Special Jobs. Special Diets.
Vltamln Bl intake was increased
through cereals and vitamin bread.
canned tomatoes and fresh fruits and
vegetables looked after vitamin C re.
quirements, milk and eggs helped to
overcome deficiencies OF vitamin A and
riboflavin. Special diets were worked out
Tor special jobs. The night fighter crews
get increased milk and cheese diets to
increase vitamin A and ribofavin intake.
to improve eyesight.
Canadian troops in the field are issued
emergency rations Of chocolate with an
exceptionally high melting point and
whole grain biscuits, sufficient to keep a
man going several hours In strenuous
action. The ''mess-tin" ration for men
likely to be cut off from base contains
two packages. each providing concen-
uated requirements for "A hours.
Sailors Heaviest Eaters.
The navy has had diet problems of its
own, and science has solved most of them.
Sailors eat more than any other service.
Under Surg. Cordr. Charles Best, famed
surgeon and co-discoverer of insulin, a
naval nutrition unit has been working
on sailors diet problems at sea and at
shore bases for months. The navy now
gets more fruit Juice, milk. whole wheat
ana Vltamin B bread. For eyesight.
rlbof1avin tablets are issued In severe
cases.
Canadian lifeboat rations have set a
new pace in processing and packaeing.
and British and American naval author
tiles have asked for specifications. The
ration contains water in special tins that
Will not rust and will withstand IS de-
grees OF frost, chocolate bars that will
not melt at PIP degrees of heat, and con-
centrated biscuits high in soy flour,
protein and fat content The ration kit is
about as big as an overnight bag, coated
with embarrassing paint.
In addition, Canadian naval ships
carry special emergency rations con-
centrated to save space, sufficient to feed
60 survivors who might be picked I'D, for
five days
has only one concern-the lob Of win
ming the war He he1tevcr In ,,rioo 49,