Quote: A Balanced Diet

“In spite of all the talk and study about our next years, and all the silent ponderings about what lies within them for our sons [sic], it seems plain to us that many things are wrong in the present ones which can be, must be changed. Our texture of belief has great holes in it. Our pattern lacks pieces.

“One of the most obvious fallacies is that of what we should eat…. One of the stupidest things in an earnest but stupid school of culinary thought is that each of the three daily meals should be ‘balanced.’

“In the first place, not all people need or want three meals each day. Many of them feel better with two, or one and one-half, or five.

“Next, and most important perhaps, ‘balance’ is something that depends entirely on the individual. One man, because of his chemical set-up, may need many proteins. Another, more nervous perhaps (or even more phlegmatic), may find meats and eggs and cheeses an active poison, and have to live with what grace he can on salads and cooked squash.

“Of course, where countless humans are herded together, as in military camps or schools or prisons, it is necessary to strike what is ironically called the happy medium. In this case what kills the least number with the most ease is the chosen way….

“We must change. If the people set aside to instruct us cannot help, we must do it ourselves. We must do our own balancing, according to what we have learned and also, for a change, according to what we have thought.

—M. F. K. Fisher, How To Cook A Wolf (1942)

---

[shareaholic app="share_buttons" id="242634"] [shareaholic app="recommendations" id="14114887"]

STANDARD FTC DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note that I only ever endorse products that are in alignment with my ideals and that I believe would be of value to my readers.