Project Gutenberg has put
Science in the Kitchen., by Mrs. E. E. Kellogg on-line. This is a classic from the beginning of the American health food movement. Here Mrs. Kellogg quotes from Dr. J.H. Kellogg's
Second Book in Physiology:
"Eating between Meals.—The habit of eating apples, nuts, fruits, confectionery, etc., between meals is exceedingly harmful, and certain to produce loss of appetite and indigestion. The stomach as well as the muscles and other organs of the body requires rest. The frequency with which meals should be taken depends somewhat upon the age and occupation of an individual. Infants take their food at short intervals, and owing to its simple character, are able to digest it very quickly. Adults should not take food oftener than three times a day; and persons whose employment is sedentary say, in many cases at least, adopt with advantage the plan of the ancient Greeks, who ate but twice a day. The latter custom is quite general among the higher classes in France and Spain, and in several South American countries."
How can we survive without constant snacks? Mrs. Kellogg includes menu plans for several week's worth of meals. Here is a menu from a typical day:
BREAKFAST
Fresh Fruit
Cerealine Flakes
Whole-Wheat Puffs
Toasted Wafers
Baked Potato with Cream Sauce
Steamed Eggs
Stewed Fruit
DINNER
Cream Pea Soup
Mashed Potatoes
Scalloped Tomatoes
Stewed Cabbage
Pearl Barley
Cream Crisps
Graham Bread
Stewed Fruit
Farina Blancmange with Cocoanut Sauce
Somehow, it seems that stuffing one's self twice a day would not be conducive to good digestion.
