THE NUTRIENTS 



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hibition Amendment is not carried out the death rate from alco- 

 holic poisoning has gone above the level of pre-prohibition days, 

 while in states where prohibition is more widely enforced, the 

 death rate is lower than the period before the World War. We 

 should attempt to get at the truth with reference to prohibition 

 and at least show ourselves good citizens by upholding the law 

 whether we believe in it or not. 



PROBLEM I. WHAT DO FOODS DO FOR US? 



Practical Exercise 1. Make a list of foods that you have eaten in the last 

 24 hours. By referring to tables in government bulletins or any good lab- 

 oratory manual, classify the foods under the following headings. 



Nutrients 



Much 



Little 



1 

 None 



Carbohydrates . . 



Proteins 



Fats 









What are the uses of foods ? If we use the simile of the human 

 body and the engine, then it is obvious that body heat and the 

 energy we release in our daily work comes from the foods we eat. 

 But unlike an engine, which cannot repair itself if damaged, we not 

 only repair injuries to our bodies but can actually increase in weight. 

 Food then furnishes material for body growth, for repair of waste, 

 for heat, and for work when oxidized in the cells of the body. 



The nutrients. Foods contain substances called organic 

 nutrients. These we have already learned are proteins, carbo- 

 hydrates, and fats or oils. Foods also contain waste. A leg of 

 lamb contains bone and tendons ; oysters and clams have shells ; 

 potatoes and turnips have skins ; and bananas and oranges have 

 outer coverings which cannot be used. All foods have some waste. 

 In addition, they contain various amounts of mineral salts and 

 frequently a large amount of water. 



Proteins are nutrients which contain nitrogen in addition to 

 carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Foods containing a high propor- 

 tion of proteins are lean meats, eggs, some nuts, peas, and beans. 



Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, having 



