In countries where continuous physical exertion is the necessity of life, man has generally discovered for himself, without the teaching of science, the great value of a meat diet. Thus, in the limitless plains of the Pampas, which can only be traversed on horseback, the Indians have learnt by experience that meat alone will give them the muscular force to gallop all day long. Sir Francis Head, in his account of his "Journeys Across the Pampas," tells how he could not stand the fatigue of constant galloping, but was obliged, after five or six hours' riding, to rest in a carriage, till he had adopted the diet of the Indians, and lived on beef and water. "But after," he says, "I had been riding for three or four months, and had lived on beef and water, I found myself in a condition which I can only describe by saying that I felt no exertion could kill me." Vegetable feeders may be and are capable of great feats of strength; but the capacity to endure prolonged physical exertion belongs to the meat-eater. The gentleman may dispense with butcher's meat without harm; the navvy and miner require beef and mutton. In fact, in this topsy-turvy world the under-fed are the poor working men, who need food whereby to work, and the over-fed are the well-to-do middle-aged, who should be abstemious in order to enjoy the good things with which their lives abound. A community of goods might be to the benefit of both.

Brain-workers should live sparingly if they would work well and live long. Their force is required for mental exertion, and should not be expended on the task of digestion, for "they should remember that the digestion of heavy meals involves a great expenditure of nerve force". Besides fish, eggs, milk, and light porous well-made bread, fresh vegetables and fruit should form their chief sustenance. They should take only a small amount of butcher's meat, and that especially at those times when they are able to take more physical exercise. Some animal fat is, however, useful, such as fresh butter or cream, or a rasher or two of fat bacon at breakfast (Burney Yeo).

Women, whose bodies are smaller and whose energy is less, require, as a rule, less food than men; but the same strict dietetic rules cannot be adopted by them as by the other sex, for during menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation, demands are made on their physical and nervous systems which can only be met by a more abundant food supply specially rich in albuminoids. Their diet must, therefore, be regulated more or less by the varying circumstances of their physical condition. Women, however, who lead sedentary lives - and they are the great majority - must remember that a dietary of which meat, eggs, and milk form a large part, is not conducive to health; while, on the other hand, if obesity is to be avoided, farinaceous and saccharine foods must be taken with precaution. The healthful thing to do is to lead an active and unselfish life, on a moderate diet, sufficient to maintain strength and not to increase weight.