Show what to tat eat and why C houston goudiss considers the question how often shall we eat eaf suggests that sorn some e people may benefit by more than three meals by C HOUSTON TON GOUDISS 0 ONE NE of the questions I 1 am frequently asked is theror r not its advisable to eat between meals any answer must take into consideration a number of factors it is true that many people experience a desire for food in mid morn ing ing m mid id afternoon or before going to bed some begin to nibble as soon as they feel hungry and often they continue to eat in excess of their needs others trained to more self restraint refrain from eating because they have been brought up with the idea that no food should be eaten except at regular meals unfortunately it freau frequently antly occurs that neither procedure is based upon actual food requirements consider the days food needs in arriving at any decision concerning between meal eating the days ration should be regarded as a whole if the foods served at breakfast dinner and lunch or supper are carefully chosen with a view to meeting bodily requirements quire ments there should be no need for many adults to eat between meals on the other hand it should be borne in mind that dividing the days food into what we americans so often call three square meals is primarily a convenient custom one reason that it has grown up over a period of years is because it al lovs the maximum free time to pursue our various occupations in a number of countries a fourth meal is an accepted part of the days routine no englishman for example would consider going without his afternoon tea and workers pause in offices stores and factories as well as at home for a brief rest and welcome refreshment how many meals in recent years several acl scientists en have adian advanced ced the idea that some of us may benefit by eating more than three meals at a leading university a few years ago two distinguished investigators concluded that smaller and more frequent meals would promote jeneral general health abida well being leing for many types of individuals they suggested lighter meals but proposed as many as four five or even six feedings a day another well known authority has performed various experiments which effectively demonstrate that a light additional meal in mid afternoon consisting principally of a milk beverage increased the efficiency of workers and helped to reduce fa fatigue t igue relieving late afternoon fatigue many people experience a tired feeling about four in the afternoon during the working day they gradually utilize available food energy so that by late afternoon the supply may be greatly reduced along with both mental and physical energy here is a case where eating between meals is regarded as a decided advantage provided the food is carefully chosen A glass of milk and a few crackers or some other carbohydrate food will help to renew energy relieve the feeling of fatigue and bridge the aap iap gap to dinner it must be remembered however that the extra meal should be composed of light easily digested foods so as not to destroy appetite for the following meal meal young children and elderly people children of certain ages as well as adults may benefit by a schedule that i includes an extra mehl meal very young children in the toddler stage are frequently given a midmorning mid morning feeding of orange juice or a mid afternoon cup of milk with one or two crackers and some school children also make better weight gains if they pause in the middle of the morn ing or take an after school snack of fruit juice or milk and crackers aged persons often require more than three meals that Is because large heavy meals might overtax their digestions and three light meals do not usually provide adequate nourishment for this reason nutritionists advise that they have a light mid afternoon pickup of a hot beverage and crackers and perhaps a cup of hot bouillon before going to bed dont overeat thus it is evident that there are numerous instances when there is justification for departing from the accepted routine but it must be remembered that as the number of meals is increased the amount of food taken at each one should be decreased otherwise an undue strain may be placed upon the digestive organs then too no matter how the days food is divided it must provide all the substances required for sound nutrition otherwise the body will be improperly nourished no matter how many meals are consumed the diet should be built first of all around the protective foods milk eggs fruits and vegetables which are such an important source of necessary minerals and vitamins it must also supply protein for growth and repair carbohydrates and fats for adequate energy and sufficient bulk or cellulose to promote normal elimination keep the diet balanced whether you serve three hearty meals and forego eating between times or follow the plan of wo pro viding a midmorning mid morning or pickup you should meet the requirements for a balanced diet this you will remember from previous discussions includes a pint ot of milk for each a dult adult a quart for every child an egg for each member of the family or at least three or four weekly one serving of a whole grain cereal one serving of meat fish or chicken plus a second source of protein such as meat nuts or dried beans or peas two vegetables besides potatoes one of which should be of the leafy green variety two fruits or one fruit and one fruit juice |