218
Counsels on Diet and Foods
weeks only. To compel them, for so short a time, to change their hours
for meals, is to subject them to great inconvenience. If you do this,
you will find, after test and trial, that you have made a mistake. Learn
what you can in regard to the habits of the patients, and do not require
them to change these habits when by the change nothing special is
gained.
The atmosphere of the institution should be cheerful and homelike,
and as social as possible. Those who come for treatment should be
made to feel at home. Abrupt changes in regard to meals will keep
them in an unsettled state of mind. Feelings of discomfort will be
the result of the interruption of their habits. Their minds will be
disturbed, and this will bring about unnatural conditions, by which
they will be robbed of the blessings that they might otherwise obtain.
When it is necessary to change their habits, do this so carefully and
so pleasantly that they will look upon the change as a blessing rather
than a discomfort....
Let your regulations be so consistent that they will appeal to the
reason of those even who have not been educated to see all things
clearly. As you strive to introduce the renovating, transforming princi-
ples of truth into the life practice of those who come to the sanitarium
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to gain improvement in health, let them see that no arbitrary exactions
are laid on them. Give them no reason to feel that they are compelled
to follow a course that they do not choose.—
Letter 213, 1902
Make Dietetic Changes Gradually
426. In the night season I was talking with you both. I had some
things to say to you on the diet question. I was talking freely with
you, telling you that you would have to make changes in your ideas in
regard to the diet to be given those who come to the sanitarium from
the world. These people have lived improperly on rich food. They are
suffering as a result of indulgence of appetite. A reform in their habits
of eating and drinking is needed. But this reform cannot be made all
at once. The change must be made gradually. The health foods set
before them must be appetizing. All their lives, perhaps, they have had
three meals a day, and have eaten rich food. It is an important matter
to reach these people with the truths of health reform. But in order
to lead them to adopt a sensible diet, you must set before them an