FOOD HABITS 347 



the muscle fibers may be loosened and softened, in which condition 

 they are digested more easily, and that the bacteria and other 

 parasites in the meat may be killed by the heat. The common 

 method of frying makes foods difficult to digest. A good way to 

 prepare meat, either for stew or soup, is to place the meat, cut in 

 small pieces, in cold water, and allow it to simmer for several 

 hours. Rapid boiling toughens the muscle fibers just as the white 

 of egg becomes solid when heated. Boiling and roasting are 

 excellent methods of cooking meat. In order to prevent the loss 

 of the nutrients in roasting, it is well to baste the meat frequently ; 

 thus a crust is formed on the outer surface of the meat, which 

 prevents the escape of the juices from the inside. 



Vegetables are cooked in order that the cells containing starch 

 grains may be broken down. This allows the starch to be reached 

 more easily by the digestive fluids. Inasmuch as water may 

 dissolve out nutrients from vegetable tissues, it is best to boil 

 such foods rapidly in a small amount of water. This gives less 

 time for the solvent action to take place. Vegetables should be 

 cooked with the outer skin left on whenever it is possible. 



Practical Exercises 4. 1. Why should foods be cooked? Give three reasons. 



2. Why is a mixed diet necessary ? 



3. Name five common errors in selecting foods. 



4. Of what use are inorganic nutrients ? 



5. Of what use are condiments and flavoring substances? 



6. Of what use are soups as food? 



7. Why do we use fruit in a daily dietary? 



8. Is the use of tea or coffee justifiable in a daily diet? Why do people 

 drink them ? 



9. Why are cheap cuts of meat cheap ? 



10. Defend the statement, " The average American family wastes enough 

 in the kitchen to support a French family." 



Food habits. Habits play a very important part in our life 

 activities. We do not think much about our daily activities, for 

 once having learned the reasons for performing certain acts, those 

 acts become habits. The habit of brushing teeth properly, of the 

 choice of the right kinds and proportions of food, of the avoidance 

 of tea and coffee, — these and other useful acts should become auto- 

 matic. Some health habits that are worth acquiring are : 



(1) Have your meals at regular hours. 



(2) Take time to eat and enjoy your meals. 



