1152 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Oft". Doc. 



The Amei-icau dietary standard for a man at moderate muscular 

 work calls for 0.28 i)Ound protein and 3,500 calories. It will be seen 

 that the menu suggested above is insufficient; that is, more food 

 must be supplied. For instance, cheese might be added for dinner, 

 and pork and beans and milk for supper. The amounts of protein 

 and energy which a sufticient quantity of these articles for four per- 

 sons would supply are shown in the following table: 



Food Added to Bring the Day's Menu up to the Dietary Standard. 



These additions would make the total protein 1,190 pounds and 

 the total fuel value of 14,377 calories for four jjersons, or for one pet- 

 son, 0,298 pound protein and 3,599 calories. (For the sake of sim- 

 plifjing calculations no distinction is made between the amounts 

 recjuired by men and women.) These values are approximately the 

 amounts required by the dietary standard. 



Following the above method, the value of any menu chosen may 

 be easily calculated. It should be borne in mind that approximate 

 rather than absolute agreement with the dietary standard is sought. 

 It is not the purpose to furnish a prescription for definite amounts of 

 food materials, but rather to supply the means of judging whether 

 the food habits of families accord in general with what research has 

 shown to be most desirable from a physiological standpoint. If 

 economy is necessary, a study of the tables will show that it is 

 possible to devise menus which will furnish the requisite amounts 

 of nutrients and energy at comparatively low cost. 



Digestibility. 



The value of a food is determined not alone by its composition, 

 but also by its digestibility; that is, by the amount of it which the 

 body can retain and utilize as it passes through the digestive tract. 

 Tlie term digestibility, as frequently employed, particularly in popu- 

 lar articles, has several other significations. Thus, to many persons 



