Page:Food and cookery for the sick and convalescent.djvu/58

34 their preparation, the little ones will look forward to them with as much interest as the sweets which follow. Doughnuts, rich cake, and pastry should be avoided, but simple crackers, cookies, and cakes may be used to advantage; also fresh and dried fruits and nuts. Figs, dates, and nuts have a high food value, and if well masticated, an active child will digest them with comparative ease.

In the high schools of many large towns and cities, lunch counters have been established for furnishing to the pupils well-cooked, nutritious food, at the least possible expense. Hot soups and cocoa may be found each day in addition to rolls, sandwiches, crackers, cookies, cake, fruit, and sometimes ice cream.

A child, relatively to his weight, requires more food than a man or a woman. Three considerations explain this necessity:—

1. The assimilative powers of a child are greater than those of an adult.

2. A child has a larger surface in proportion to his weight; which means a relatively larger heat loss.

3. A child is growing, therefore requires a relatively larger supply of building material.

Table showing Amount of Food required for a Child as compared with a Man.

A child under 2 requires 0.3 the food of a man doing moderate work.

A child of 3 to 5 requires 0.4 the food of a man doing moderate work.

A child of 6 to 9 requires 0.5 the food of a man doing moderate work.

A child of 10 to 13 requires 0.6 the food of a man doing moderate work.

A girl of 14 to 16 requires 0.7 the food of a man doing moderate work.

A boy of 14 to 16 requires 0.8 the food of a man doing moderate work.