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Counsels on Diet and Foods
Lay down the principles of health reform clearly and plainly, and with
this, let there be placed on the table an abundance of wholesome food,
tastefully prepared; and the Lord will help you to make impressive
the urgency of reform, and will lead them to see that this reform is for
their highest good. They will miss the highly seasoned food to which
they have been accustomed, but an effort must be made to give them
food that is so wholesome and so appetizing that they will cease to
miss the unwholesome dishes. Show them that the treatment given
them will not benefit them unless they make the needed change in their
habits of eating and drinking.
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427. In all our sanitariums a liberal bill of fare should be arranged
for the patients’ dining room. I have not seen anything very extravagant
in any of our medical institutions; but I have seen some tables that were
decidedly lacking in a supply of good, inviting, palatable food. Often
patients at such institutions, after remaining for a while, have decided
that they were paying a large sum for room, board, and treatment,
without receiving much in return, and have therefore left. Of course,
complaints greatly to the discredit of the institution were soon in
circulation.—
Letter 45, 1903
Two Extremes
There are two extremes, both of which we should avoid. May the
Lord help every one connected with our medical institutions not to
advocate a meager supply of food. The men and women of the world
who come to our sanitariums often have perverted appetites. Radical
changes cannot be made suddenly for all these. Some cannot at once
be placed on as plain a health reform diet as would be acceptable in
a private family. In a medical institution there are varied appetites to
satisfy. Some require well-prepared vegetables to meet their peculiar
needs. Others have not been able to use vegetables without suffering
the consequence. The poor, sick dyspeptics need to be given many
words of encouragement. Let the religious influence of a Christian
home pervade the sanitarium. This will be conducive to the health
of the patients. All these things have to be managed carefully and
prayerfully. The Lord sees the difficulties to be adjusted, and He will
be your helper....