Proper Nutrition 147 



After the nursing period is over, the hours 

 and methods of feeding are very important for 

 good nutrition, as well as the selection of proper 

 food. The value of eating slowly must early 

 be stressed, as most children and many adults 

 get in the habit of bolting their food. A few 

 minutes rest before and after eating will do 

 much to build up a vigorous digestion. Dur- 

 ing the school recess, lunch is often hastily 

 bolted in order to have more time for engaging 

 in play. Children may sometimes be seen in 

 games involving violent exercise, with a sand- 

 wich in one hand, from which hasty bites are 

 taken during a lull in the game. The school 

 day should be so arranged that a hot, nourish- 

 ing dinner may be served during the noon hour. 

 The heavy meal of the day should be given at 

 this time to little children. Much of the mal- 

 nutrition among school children is caused by 

 faulty arrangement of meals due to prolonged 

 or inconvenient school hours. Children should 

 also early be taught to eat plain, wholesome 

 food. Habits and tastes formed in the first 

 years have much to do with food customs last- 



