Extremes in Diet
153
Those who understand the laws of health, and who are governed by
principle, will shun the extremes, both of indulgence and of restrictions.
Their diet is chosen, not for the mere gratification of appetite, but for
the upbuilding of the body. They seek to preserve every power in the
best condition for the highest service to God and man. The appetite
is under the control of reason and conscience, and they are rewarded
with health of body and mind. While they do not urge their views
offensively upon others, their example is a testimony in favor of right
principles. These persons have a wide influence for good.
There is a real common sense in dietetic reform. The subject
should be studied broadly and deeply, and no one should criticize
others because their practice is not, in all things, in harmony with his
own. It is impossible to make an unvarying rule to regulate every one’s
habits, and no one should think himself a criterion for all. Not all can
eat the same things. Foods that are palatable and wholesome to one
person may be distasteful, and even harmful, to another. Some cannot
use milk, while others thrive on it. Some persons cannot digest peas
and beans; others find them wholesome. For some the coarser grain
preparations are good food, while others cannot use them.
Avoid an Impoverished Diet
317. But what about an impoverished diet? I have spoken of
the importance of the quantity and quality of food being in strict
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accordance with the laws of health. But we would not recommend an
impoverished diet. I have been shown that many take a wrong view
of the health reform, and adopt too poor a diet. They subsist upon
a cheap, poor quality of food, prepared without care or reference to
the nourishment of the system. It is important that the food should be
prepared with care, that the appetite, when not perverted, can relish it.
Because we from principle discard the use of meat, butter, mince pies,
spices, lard, and that which irritates the stomach and destroys health,
the idea should never be given that it is of but little consequence what
we eat.
There are some who go to extremes. They must eat just such an
amount and just such a quality, and confine themselves to two or three
things. They allow only a few things to be placed before them or their
families to eat. In eating a small amount of food, and that not of the