Extremes in Diet
91
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.
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 59
Health reform means something to us, and we must not belittle it
by narrow views and practices. We must be true to our convictions of
right. Daniel was blessed because he was steadfast in doing what he
knew to be right, and we shall be blessed if we seek to honor God with
full purpose of heart.
Testimonies for the Church 2:538
Health reformers, above all others, should be careful to shun ex-
tremes. The body must have sufficient nourishment. We cannot subsist
upon air merely; neither can we retain health unless we have nourishing
food. Food should be prepared in good order, so that it is palatable.
The Ministry of Healing, 318-320
Not all who profess to believe in dietetic reform are really re-
formers. With many persons the reform consists merely in discarding
certain unwholesome foods. They do not understand clearly the prin-
ciples of health, and their tables, still loaded with harmful dainties, are
far from being an example of Christian temperance and moderation.
Another class, in their desire to set a right example, go to the
opposite extreme. Some are unable to obtain the most desirable foods,
and instead of using such things as would best supply the lack, they
adopt an impoverished diet. Their food does not supply the elements
needed to make good blood. Their health suffers, their usefulness is
impaired, and their example tells against rather than in favor of reform
in diet.
Others think that since health requires a simple diet, there need
be little care in the selection or the preparation of food. Some restrict