8 



Bulletin of the University of Texas 



The following table shows the exact composition of our more 

 common food nuts : 



*The calorie is the unit of measure used to determine the amount of heat liberated 

 from foods when burned in the body. 



These tables indicate that nuts are very concentrated foods, 

 and it is from this fact that their reputation for indigestibility 

 has arisen. They often have been eaten in large quantities 

 after a hearty meal or late at night, and, as a matter of course, 

 have caused discomfort. Nuts need to be considered more 

 carefully than many of the ordinary materials, for any con- 

 centrated nutrient is often the cause of digestive disturbances. 

 Vegetarians of California live on fruits and nuts, and the com- 

 bination furnishes adequate and wholesome living. Their ex- 

 periment is convincing, no doubt, that nuts may be used as 

 articles of staple diet, but, being rich in protein and fat, they 

 should be used in combination with such carbohydrate foods 

 as bread, vegetables, and fruits. They should always be 

 thoroughly masticated, and, for children, they are better 

 ground or chopped. Nuts are especially recommended for 

 foods for diabetics and others whose diet must exclude starch 

 and sugar. In this case, the chestnut and peanut should be 

 excluded. 



The economic value of nuts may best be shown by a com- 

 parison with other and more common food materials. For 

 instance, 10 cents worth of pecans furnishes three times as 

 much food value (measured in calories) as 10 cents worth of 



