The amount of utilization of the food by the digestive tract has been studied by Rubner, and according to his investigations the residues of the different foodstuffs, that is, the indigestible matter, are least under a diet of animal food and highest under one consisting of vegetables. He gave the following scale: Meat, eggs, macaroni, white bread, milk, rice, maize, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, brown bread.

Diet In Health

The diet in health should not always comprise the most easily digestible substances. For by doing so we weaken our digestive system. Although it is not necessary always to choose the substances which are hard to digest, it is certainly not necessary to avoid them. The food should consist of mixed substances (easy and difficult to digest) and should always present a sufficient variety. As to the distribution of meals and also as to the predominance of the different food articles in diet it is impossible to give the same rule for all. Good use and custom is the best and most important guide.