Lifestyle Choices

It is no doubt one of the oldest arts in the world. From the health standpoint it is second only to the choice of food. All through history the story has been the same. The leading nations of the world have always been those that were well fed. Napoleon’s famous remark to the effect that “an army marches on its stomach” is certainly true today. Good food, well prepared, is the main source of energy by which we live.

At the same time there is an element of danger in this art of cooking. Too much luxurious food can destroy the human race. Overeating is a frequent cause of illness. So are poor methods of cooking. Foods must not only be well prepared, but the important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, must also be preserved. The tastiest foods have little value if these are missing.

During the past century wonderful improvements have been made in the preparation of food. Back in the days of our great-grandmothers little was known about the composition of food. It was assumed that anything edible could be used at any meal. Today we know that good health can be assured only when we follow sensible rules of living. One reason why so many people died so young in life during past centuries was due to the inferior quality of the food and to the poor ways of preparing it.

Modern methods of refrigeration are providing us with a greater variety of foods from which to choose. For this we can be glad. But there is always some danger that we will use some foods that have been contaminated by certain poisonous sprays. Today we are faced with an enormous increase in the number of harmful insects and other pests that attack our sources of food. They fly in the air and burrow in the ground, destroying our plants from above and also from below. Many types of fungus and other diseases also attack the plants which provide us with food. These are not new enemies, but they are much more prevalent than in past generations.

Powerful Poisons on Our Foods

Several reasons have been put forward to explain this surprising increase in pests and other destructive forces. Some authorities think that artificial fertilizers have contributed to the problem. Plants that are fed artificially are usually not as strong as those that are grown naturally. They do not seem to have the same powers of resistance. This does not fully explain all the factors involved. But there is no question that natural methods of farming are best.

Meanwhile, our agricultural leaders have not been idle. They are fighting back at these waves of pests. Research workers have provided many powerful poisons for spraying and dusting the trees and crops to keep these pests under control. Many different kinds of sprays are in use, depend, ing on the crop that must be protected. This often means that poisonous substances are present on the leaves and fruit, a fact that all housewives need to constantly keep in mind.

Any poison powerful enough to kill insects may also be harmful to human beings and animals as well. There are probably one or two exceptions to this, but in general it is true. Not only are crops sprayed before harvesting, but often the containers are also sprayed as well. This is to destroy cockroaches and other insects while the foods are being stored or shipped to market. A careful examination of the wood inside these boxes reveals that many have been permeated with DDT or other powerful substances. Sometimes the poison has gone right through into the food itself. This could be dangerous.

What does all this do to the body? In small quantities the effects may not be too spectacular. But no one can take poison into his system without something serious happening. DDT in larger quantities causes gastric irritation and vomiting. This is often followed by acute depression of the nervous system. Muscle tremors, giddiness, lack of co-ordination, and difficult breathing may also be present The victim may go into shock.

Arsenic is another substance commonly used as a spray against insects. This poison passes readily through the intact skin of the hands. It may also be inhaled into the lungs or carried into the stomach on contaminated food. Even in small quantities, it produces nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often followed by severe shock. In microscopic doses, such as one might obtain from smoking tobacco that has been sprayed with arsenic or from food materials that have been similarly treated, the results are less dramatic. But they are real. The victim complains of general weakness, languor, lack of appetite, and chronic digestive disturbances. Eventually, if the poisoning continues, the nervous system, liver, bone marrow, and other organs all suffer from the presence of arsenic. There may be darkening of the skin, thickening of the palms and soles, and other unexplained skin conditions.

These are only two of the more common insecticides and poisons now being used commercially. There are many more, and others will come into general use as time goes on. All of which raises the question of what the housewife can do about it. To protect ourselves from dangerous sprays, it is wise to thoroughly wash and rinse every article of food that is bought in the open market. Green leafy vegetables may need to be washed with soapy water at first and then carefully rinsed with clear running water. One can only hope such measures are carried out in the average restaurant. This thorough washing has other advantages. It helps to remove parasites such as ameba that may cause digestive troubles and dysentery.

Fruits bought in the open market may also carry sprays. It is easy enough to peel the skin off the fruit. At the same time, there is the possibility of carrying the poison into the mouth on the tips of the fingers. All fruits should be thoroughly washed before eating. Heat does not destroy many of these poisons. They must be removed before cooking or serving at the table.

 

A Refrigerator Is a Good Investment

Another important part of good home planning is some kind of icebox. Hot, dry air quickly spoils many foods. Cool air, maintained at the right humidity, will preserve fruits and vegetables in a much better condition. The old-fashioned icebox, using blocks of ice, will help. But an electric or gas refrigerator will be far more efficient. It will pay for itself in the foods it preserves.

Modern systems of marketing include many kinds of frozen foods. These are often higher in food value than those that are canned or preserved. They may even be cheaper than the fresh foods grown locally, and they might also be higher in food value. Such frozen foods are usually picked fresh and frozen rapidly near the spot where they are grown or prepared. They are kept in this state until they are ready for use.

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