The food we eat is a very important item, and one which it would be
difficult to arrange any rule for which would apply to all persons
under different circumstances. In health, it is safer to eat by
instinct rather than to follow any definite rules. While there are
many who have a scanty living, with a small variety of food, there is
a large number who have an abundance and a large variety. The former
class, in many cases, live miserable lives, either to hoard up for
miserly purposes the money which might make them happy, or in some
cases through poverty; while the latter class, as a rule, have better
health and have much more enjoyment in this life, unless it be some
who are gluttonous, and make themselves miserable by abusing the
blessings they should enjoy. Avoid extremes in living too free or
scanty; have a good nourishing diet and a sufficient quantity, and it
should always be properly cooked; for if the cooking is poorly done,
it affects not only the nutritious qualities, but is not so easily
digested, thus making food, which is originally the best kind, of very
little value to us, and with very poor cooking it is sometimes a
positive injury.
It is very important that the food be taken with regularity at the
accustomed time. Be careful not to take too much drink during any
meal, but, if thirsty, drink water before meal time so that you will
not care for it until some time after eating, as it is a bad plan to
drink much either during or for a little time after the meal is taken.
It is a very bad plan to hurry in eating, because by so doing the food
is not properly masticated; it is better to be a long time in eating
and chew the food well.
Dr. B. I. Kendall, Enosburg Falls, Vt.