364 Our Surroundings 



woodchopper needs a larger amount of energy-producing food 

 than a student, who is less active physically. It is, however, prac- 

 tical for each family to plan its own diet to suit its own needs. 

 The diet must be well balanced, containing a good proportion of 

 each nutrient, whose total heat value should be regulated accord- 

 ing to occupation, climate and health. 



When we consider that the body uses protein and mineral mat- 

 ter for growth and repair, and carbohydrates, fat, and protein for 

 fuel, and that water makes up a large percentage of the body, the 

 necessity for a mixed diet is apparent. 



In order to meet exactly the requirements of the body, a diet 

 should not only be mixed but should also be well selected. A well- 

 selected diet is one calculated to provide the different nutrients in 

 proper proportions to supply a person with the food necessary 

 for growth and repair of tissue, and to produce sufficient energy 

 to perform his daily work as well as to carry on his life processes. 



Diet for Growing Boys and Girls. Special care must be 

 taken in planning the diet for boys and girls of school age. They 

 need more food per pound of weight than adults do. Not only 

 must they replace worn out cells but they must also build new ones, 

 as they are constantly growing in size and weight. Children must 

 have foods rich in protein to build up their body cells, foods rich 

 in mineral matter to make bones and teeth as well as cells, and 

 foods rich in fats and carbohydrates to provide energy for cease- 

 less activity. Boys over ten years of age usually require more 

 food than girls of the same age, and both use a larger proportion 

 of protein for the building of new tissues than adults. 



Most young people, as well as adults, undoubtedly eat more 

 protein food than they need. Unlike other foods, excess protein 

 food is not stored in the body and must be eliminated. Is it not 

 better, then, to avoid eating more of it than is required ? There is 

 usually no danger of not getting sufficient protein in one's diet. 

 There is more apt to be lack of sufficient kinds of food that 

 contain calcium, needed for bone making, iron, which enables the 

 red blood corpuscles to pick up and carry oxygen to the cells, phos- 

 phorus, needed for the healthy growth of cells, and vitamins, an 

 essential for good health. In selecting food, bear in mind that 



