RATIONS 117 



ever, since it contains so mucli more energy than glucose in propor- 

 tion to its bulk, is particularly well adapted for storage in our bodies 

 as reserve material; and what is absorbed from our food needs to 

 undergo scarcely any change before being laid away. 



These differences in usefulness between fats and carbohydrates 

 have been well expressed by comparing the latter to ready cash, and 

 the former to money in a savings bank. This helps us to under- 

 stand the benefit which pedestrians and bicyclists derive from the 

 use of sweet chocolate. The large proportion of sugar (about 50%) 

 j'iclds up its energy immediately in time of need, while the consider- 

 able proteid offers material for the repair of muscular loss, and the 

 aljundant oil remains as a more slowly available reserve. 



Likewise, the special craving which j'oung people have for sweets, 

 receives at once its explanation and justification when we remember 

 the extraordinary activity which lielongs properl}' to their period 

 of life. It needs to be pointed out, however, that the quantity of 

 carbohydrate eaten should be strictlj^ proportioned to the amount 

 of bodily activitj^; for otherwise there will be left in the system an 

 excess of sugar, which may either go to produce an unhealthy 

 accumulation of fat, or by undergoing acid decomposition, seriously 

 disorder the digestive organs. Too much sweet food and too little 

 exercise is one of the commonest causes of indigestion and olsesity. 



44. Rations. Recent experiments indicate that the needs 

 of an average man would be fully met by a daily ration of 

 300 grams of carbohydrate, 50 grams of fat, and 50 grams 

 of proteid.^ 



This gives of nitrogenous material sufficient to cover an average 

 daily loss of about S grams of nitrogen, and of carbonaceous fuel 



' More or less variation from the above figures would of course be 

 required to meet the needs of different ages, sexes, constitutions, and 

 occupations. A discussion of such details cannot well be undertaken 

 in this place. It should be said, however, that physiologists of the 

 highest standing now admit that former estimates of the body's needs 

 based upon records of the amount commonly consumed are too high for 

 maximum efficiency. The standard which has been most generally 

 adopted by American writers on nutrition calls for 125 grams of proteid, 

 with sufficient fat and carbohydrate to yield a total of 3, .500 Calories as the 

 daily ration for a man at moderate muscular work. These figures were 

 derived mainly from observation of what many healthy Americans 

 actually eat, and are admittedly but rough approximations erring rather 

 on the side of excess than deficiency. Good health is imdoubtedly 

 maintained on such an allowance, but this, of course, is no proof that 

 eating somewhat less would not conduce to even better health and greater 

 vigor. A verjr liberal allowance would be 400 grams of carbohydrate, 

 and 100 grams each of fat and proteid for an average man. 



