1402 THE FRUIT INDUSTRY ix XEW YORK STATE 



us enough protein for our needed daily supply ! That is not what 

 we eat them for. It is not the function of fruit to build tissue 

 or yield energy, but to help the body make the best use of the 

 foods which exercise this function. Fruits have a dietetic value 

 rather than a food value; in other words, they are wholesome 

 rather than nutritious. Their attractive appearance and pleasant 

 flavor is in itself a benefit, but they meet more important needs 

 than these. The body requires mineral matter, and fruits fur- 

 nish it in abundance; it requires acids, and fruits yield 

 them in wholesome form; it requires enough bulky, indigestible 

 food to stimulate the organs of elimination, and fruits are valu- 

 able in supplying this need. Dr. Langworthy has well said, 

 " Intelligently used, fruits are a valuable part of a well-balanced 

 diet, and may well be eaten in larger quantities than at present/' 



INTELLIGENT USE OF FRUIT 



An intelligent use of any food means that its use must be 

 adapted to suit the requirements of those who are fed. Feeding 

 fruit indiscriminately to people of all ages and conditions would 

 be as senseless as insisting on the cold plunge bath for everybody 

 at all seasons, regardless of results. Aside from individual pe- 

 culiarities (as in the case of persons who are poisoned by straw- 

 berries) which forbid the use of certain fruits, there are general 

 rules that cannot safely be overlooked. The woody material 

 known as cellulose, which acts as a wholesome intestinal stimu- 

 lant under normal conditions, becomes irritating if the intestine 

 is oversensitive, or if mastication is faulty. 



Both conditions must be considered in giving fruit to young 

 children. Until a child is four years old, it is best restricted to 

 such fruits as baked apples (carefully skinned and cored), apple 

 sauce, or prune pulp. It should also be given jellies rather than 

 jam or marmalades, since in the last two there is abundant chance 

 for mischief from skins and seeds. 



ACID FRUITS 



Sensitive digestions may be affected by using an acid fruit at 

 the same meal with cereals and milk. Again we have an example 

 in young children. ^Yhile orange juice may safely be given even 

 before the child is one year old, it should always be midway be- 

 tween the regular feedings of milk. 



