FOODS AND DIETARIES 337 



ply. We need heat-producing food, and we need more food in winter than 

 in summer, the latter partly because we exercise more in winter. We 

 may use carbohydrates for this purpose, as they are economical and 

 digestible. The inhabitants of cold countries get their heat-releasing 

 foods largely from fats, because no plants are produced there. In 

 tropical countries and in hot weather little proteid should be eaten and 

 a considerable amount of fresh fruit used. 



Food Economy. The American people are far less economical 

 in their purchase of food than most other nations. Nearly one 

 half of the total income of the average workingman is spent on 

 food. Not only does he spend a large amount on food, but 

 he wastes money in purchasing the wrong kinds of food. A 

 comparison of the daily diets of persons in various occupations 

 in this and other countries show that as a rule we eat more than 

 is necessary to supply the necessary fuel and repair, and that our 

 workingmen eat more than those of other countries. Another 

 waste of money by the American is in the false notion that a large 

 proportion of the daily dietary should be meat. Many people 

 think that the most expensive cuts of meat are the most nutritious. 

 The falsity of this idea may be seen by a careful study of the table 

 on page 338, compiled by Atwater, which shows the relative amount 

 of various foods purchasable for 10 cents (present-day prices are 

 from 20 per cent to 50 per cent higher than here quoted). 



Daily Fuel Needs of the Body. It has been pointed out that 

 the daily diet should differ widely according to age, occupation, 

 time of year, etc. The following table shows the daily fuel needs 

 for several ages and occupations: - 



DAILY CALORIE NEEDS (APPROXIMATELY) 



T For child under 2 years ._..:. 900 calories 



2. For child from 2-5 years ^ * 1200 calories 



3. For child from 6-9 years 1500 calories 



4. For child from 10-12 years 1800 calories 



5. For child from 12-14 (woman, light work alsp) . . . 2100 calories 



6. For boy (12-14), girl (15-16), man sedentary '. . . .. 2400 calories 



7. For boy (15-16) (man, light muscular work) . . . . 2700 calorie 



8. For man, moderately active muscular work .... 3000 calories 



9. For farmer (busy season) 3200 to 4000 calories 



10. For ditchers, excavators, etc 4000 to 5000 calories 



11. For lumbermen, etc . 5000 and more calories 



HUNT. ES. BIO. 22 



