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Diet and Health
209
But not all foods wholesome in themselves are equally suited
to our needs under all circumstances. Care should be taken in the
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selection of food. Our diet should be suited to the season, to the
climate in which we live, and to the occupation we follow. Some
foods that are adapted for use at one season or in one climate are not
suited to another. So there are different foods best suited for persons
in different occupations. Often food that can be used with benefit
by those engaged in hard physical labor is unsuitable for persons of
sedentary pursuits or intense mental application. God has given us
an ample variety of healthful foods, and each person should choose
from it the things that experience and sound judgment prove to be
best suited to his own necessities.
Nature’s abundant supply of fruits, nuts, and grains is ample, and
year by year the products of all lands are more generally distributed
to all, by the increased facilities for transportation. As a result many
articles of food which a few years ago were regarded as expensive
luxuries are now within the reach of all as foods for everyday use.
This is especially the case with dried and canned fruits.
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Nuts and nut foods are coming largely into use to take the place
of flesh meats. With nuts may be combined grains, fruits, and
some roots, to make foods that are healthful and nourishing. Care
should be taken, however, not to use too large a proportion of nuts.
Those who realize ill effects from the use of nut foods may find
the difficulty removed by attending to this precaution. It should be
remembered, too, that some nuts are not so wholesome as others.
Almonds are preferable to peanuts, but peanuts in limited quantities,
used in connection with grains, are nourishing and digestible.
When properly prepared, olives, like nuts, supply the place of
butter and flesh meats. The oil, as eaten in the olive, is far preferable
to animal oil or fat. It serves as a laxative. Its use will be found
beneficial to consumptives, and it is healing to an inflamed, irritated
stomach.
Persons who have accustomed themselves to a rich, highly stim-
ulating diet have an unnatural taste, and they cannot at once relish
food that is plain and simple. It will take time for the taste to become
natural and for the stomach to recover from the abuse it has suffered.
But those who persevere in the use of wholesome food will, after
a time, find it palatable. Its delicate and delicious flavors will be