Nature requires that food be so adjusted to the growing body that the diet not only supply the changing body-need as the body grows but also aid the body-processes. All foods not possible as yet for the growing body to digest must be withheld during growth. The food-restrictions in childhood are no less important than in disease, when nature necessitates the regaining of lost strength before the body can again be normally taxed by work and life.

Diet may affect directly health of teeth. It should contain starchy food stimulating mastication (as brown bread), and fresh fruit, as the apple, at the end of the meal. This exercises the mouth so that it frees itself of food, and leaves it fresh and physiologically clean. - Dr. Sims Wallace.

Diet-Exclusions During Childhood

Omit Until After The Second Teeth

Fat, except cream, butter, oil (as prescribed); other fats are less digestible (butter fat promotes growth).

Acid foods (tomatoes, vinegar, pickled foods); acids remove from the body salts which promote bone-growth.

Woody-fiber vegetables, as cucumbers, radishes, celery (raw); carrots permitted if digested.

Fresh, warm breads. Preserved foods of all kinds. Bread not easily crumbed is not reached by the digestive juices.

Omit Throughout Childhood

Pies, pastry of all kinds, rich cake, rich nuts, gravies, dressings, and heavy foods. Sugar is needed but not in excess; candy (only simple and homemade). Coffee, tea, and all beverages except water, milk, cocoa. Coffee and tea stimulate but do not nourish; tea is constipating, so holds toxins of waste products in the body.

Food Intoxication (See P. 207). For Children

The special diet indicated on page 207 is advised for two months after an attack, then 1 egg a day; two weeks later, milk with 4% fat; two weeks later, sugar cereals and cooked fruits slightly. In six months return to regular diet, but with little sweet food. If illness returns upon adding any food, exclude it (Backford). During such attacks plenty of air and little exercise are advised.

Mineral salts are a most definite growth-need. Lime aids skeleton-growth.