Extremes in Diet
49
become so sensitive that they cannot make use of the coarser kind of
graham flour. So it is impossible to make an unvarying rule by which
to regulate every one’s dietetic habits.
Narrow ideas, an overstraining of small points, have been a great
injury to the cause of hygiene. There may be such an effort at economy
in the preparation of food, that, instead of a healthful diet, it becomes a
poverty-stricken diet. What is the result?—Poverty of the blood. I have
seen several cases of disease most difficult to cure, which were due
to impoverished diet. The persons thus afflicted were not compelled
by poverty to adopt a meager diet, but did so in order to follow out
their own erroneous ideas of what constitutes health reform. Day after
day, meal after meal, the same articles of food were prepared without
variation, until dyspepsia and general debility resulted.
Many who adopt the health reform complain that it does not agree
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with them; but after sitting at their tables I come to the conclusion
that it is not the health reform that is at fault, but the poorly prepared
food. I appeal to men and women to whom God has given intelligence:
learn how to cook. I make no mistake when I say men, for they, as
well as women, need to understand the simple, healthful preparation
of food. Their business often takes them where they cannot obtain
wholesome food. They may be called to remain days and even weeks
in families that are entirely ignorant in this respect. Then, if they have
the knowledge, they can use it to good purpose.
Investigate your habits of diet. Study from cause to effect, but do
not bear false witness against health reform by ignorantly pursuing a
course which militates against it. Do not neglect or abuse the body,
and thus unfit it to render to God that service which is his due. To my
certain knowledge, some of the most useful workers in our cause have
died through such neglect. To care for the body by providing for it
food which is relishable and strengthening, is one of the first duties
of the householder. Better by far have less expensive clothing and
furniture, than to scrimp the supply of necessary articles for the table.
Most people enjoy better health while eating two meals a day
than three; others, under their existing circumstances, may require
something to eat at supper-time; but this meal should be very light.
Let no one think himself a criterion for all,—that every one must do
exactly as he does.