380 HOW FOOD IS PREPARED FOR BODY USE 



absorbed through the walls of the large intestine, and, when they 

 pass into the blood, cause headaches and sometimes serious 

 trouble. Hence it follows that the intestine should be emptied of 

 this matter as frequently as possible, at least once a day. Con- 

 stipation is one of the most serious ills the American people have 

 to deal with, and it is largely brought about by the life we lead, 

 with its wrong kinds of food and its lack of exercise, fresh air, 

 and sleep. Fruit with meals, especially at breakfast, plenty of 

 water between meals and before breakfast, and plenty of fresh 

 vegetables and cereals to supply the bulk sufficient to stimulate the 

 muscles of the intestine, all will aid in preventing constipation. 

 Exercise, particularly of the abdominal muscles, and regular times 

 for the elimination of wastes will help to correct this evil. 



Hygienic habits of eating. Any habits we may form of chewing 

 our food thoroughly will aid digestion. The smaller the pieces 

 of food the more surface will be presented to the digestive fluids 

 containing the enzymes and the more complete will be the digestion. 

 Undoubtedly much indigestion and other discomfort is due to 

 hurriedly eaten meals with consequent lack of proper chewing 

 of food. It is a good rule to go away from the table feeling a little 

 hungry. Eating too much overtaxes the digestive organs and 

 prevents their working to the best advantage. Still another 

 cause of indigestion is eating when in a fatigued condition. It is 

 always a good plan to rest a short time before eating, especially 

 after any hard manual work. Eating between meals is condemned 

 by physicians because the blood is brought to the digestive organs 

 at a time when it should be more active in other parts of the body. 

 The excessive use of ice cream sodas and cold drinks between 

 meals is bad for this reason and because it dulls appetite for 

 regular meals. 



Practical Exercise 5. 1 . Tell where each part of a meal of bread and butter, 

 meat, rice pudding, and nuts is digested. 



2. Why should we chew starchy foods well before swallowing? 



3. Why is soup eaten at the beginning of a meal? (Remember it is ab- 

 sorbed rapidly.) 



4. Why are partly cooked foods harder to digest than well cooked foods ? 



5. Name three easily digested foods and tell why they are easy to digest. 



6. Name three foods difficult to digest and tell the reasons why. 



7. Give, in detail, the digestion of a meal of milk, bread, and apple sauce. 



