Regularity in Eating
139
None to Be Forced to Discard Their Third Meal
277. With regard to the diet question, this matter must be handled
with such wisdom that no overbearing will appear. It should be shown
that to eat two meals is far better for the health than to eat three. But
there must be no authoritative forcing seen. No one connected with
the sanitarium should be compelled to adopt the two-meal system.
Persuasion is more appropriate than force....
The days are now growing shorter, and it will be a good time to
present this matter. As the days shorten, let dinner be a little later, and
then the third meal will not be felt necessary.—
Letter 145, 1901
[178]
278. In regard to the third meal, do not make eating but two meals
compulsory. Some do best healthwise when eating three light meals,
and when they are restricted to two, they feel the change severely.—
Letter 200, 1902
[
Possibility of Harm through Discarding Third Meal at Our
Sanitariums—424
]
Not to Be a Test
279. I eat only two meals a day. But I do not think that the number
of meals should be made a test. If there are those who are better in
health when eating three meals, it is their privilege to have three. I
choose two meals. For thirty-five years I have practiced the two-meal
system.—
Letter 30, 1903
Objectionable Results of Enforcing the Two-Meal Plan in Training
Schools
280. The impression is upon many minds that the diet question
is being carried to extremes. When students combine physical and
mental taxation, so largely as they do at this school (Avondale), the
objection to the third meal is to a great extent removed. Then no one
needs to feel abused. Those who conscientiously eat only two meals
need not change in this at all....
The fact that some, teachers and students, have the privilege of
eating in their rooms, is not creating a healthful influence. There must
be harmonious action in the conducting of meals. If those who only eat
two meals have the idea that they must eat enough at the second meal
to answer for the third meal also, they will injure their digestive organs.