Control of Appetite
123
depends upon the use we make during this life of our time, strength,
and influence.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:374, 375, 1900
Slaves to Appetite
245. There is a class who profess to believe the truth, who do
not use tobacco, snuff, tea, or coffee, yet they are guilty of gratifying
the appetite in a different manner. They crave highly seasoned meats,
with rich gravies, and their appetite has become so perverted that they
cannot be satisfied with even meat, unless prepared in a manner most
injurious. The stomach is fevered, the digestive organs are taxed, and
yet the stomach labors hard to dispose of the load forced upon it. After
the stomach has performed its task it becomes exhausted, which causes
faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want of food
which produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to
rest, they take more food, which for the time removes the faintness.
And the more the appetite is indulged, the more will be its clamors for
gratification. This faintness is generally the result of meat eating, and
eating frequently, and too much....
[158]
Because it is the fashion, in harmony with morbid appetite, rich
cake, pies, and puddings, and every hurtful thing, are crowded into
the stomach. The table must be loaded down with a variety, or the
depraved appetite cannot be satisfied. In the morning, these slaves to
appetite often have impure breath, and a furred tongue. They do not
enjoy health, and wonder why they suffer with pains, headaches, and
various ills. Many eat three times a day, and again just before going to
bed. In a short time the digestive organs are worn out, for they have
had no time to rest. These become miserable dyspeptics, and wonder
what has made them so. The cause has brought the sure result. A
second meal should never be eaten until the stomach has had time to
rest from the labor of digesting the preceding meal. If a third meal be
eaten at all, it should be light, and several hours before going to bed.
Many are so devoted to intemperance that they will not change
their course of indulging in gluttony under any considerations. They
would sooner sacrifice health, and die prematurely, than to restrain
their intemperate appetite. And there are many who are ignorant
of the relation their eating and drinking has to health. Could such
be enlightened, they might have moral courage to deny the appetite,