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"Mon Dieu!" I exclaim. "Bogomi!" (Serbian—'For the love of Allah!') "This is no mirror," I mutter. "This is one of those musee things that make you look like a Tony Sarg picture of Irvin Cobb."
"What's irritating you, Dockie?" asks one of the girls, coming up and standing back of me. I look at her reflection. She does not look like Irvin Cobb!
"Peggy," I say tragically, "Peggy, do I look like my reflection?"
"Yes, dear, we have all noticed how stout you have been getting. Aren't you supposed to be some shark on the subject of ideal weight?"
And the bitter truth is borne in upon me—no matter how hard I work—no matter how much I exercise, no matter what I suffer, I will always have to watch my weight, I will always have to count my calories.
This is what I did then:
I stopped going to the breakfast table. I kept some canned milk and coffee in my room, and made me two cups of coffee. For lunch I ate practically what I wanted, limiting myself to one slice of bread or one potato (we had no butter), with fruit for dessert. For dinner I came down only when the dessert was being served, and had a share of that with some coffee. I was jeered and derided. You know how in community life we all are as disagreeable as we like, and still love each other. Did not I know the desserts were the most fattening part of the meal? I was some authority on how to reduce, I was!
In vain I told them that it did not matter so long as my total caloric intake did not equal the number that I needed. It was not until some months after, when they saw that I was normal weight again, that they began to realize I knew whereof I spoke.
Then came our withdrawal from Albania and release from duty. After months of canned goods came Paris with its famous dishes; Creme d'Isigny avec creme! Artichauts an beurre! Patisseries francaises! Oo lala! Again I said calories be dashed! I can reduce when I get home. I had no delusions now, you see.
* * * * *
And now I am home trying to help raise the funds for the starving children of Central Europe, and explaining to my friends that while there is a food shortage in Europe it is not because I was there; and that I am reducing and the money that I can save will help keep a child from starving, and that they can do the same; that for every pang of hunger we feel we can have a double joy, that of knowing we are saving worse pangs in some little children, and that of knowing that for every pang we feel we lose a pound. A pang's a pound the world around we'll say.
Every once in a while you hear that the caloric theory has been exploded. There is no caloric "theory." Therefore none to explode. Calories are simply units for measuring heat and energy and never will be exploded any more than the yard or meter "theory" will be exploded. Foods must contain essential salts and the growth and health maintaining elements. These cannot be measured by calories. The quantity of heat or energy production but not the quality of the foods is measured in calories, and one must have a knowledge of the qualities also. No scientifically educated individual has ever thought otherwise.
The chief objection to following the advice of the numerous laymen who write eat-and-grow-thin menus is that they advise the elimination of all fats, sugars and starches. They lose sight of the fact, or they do not know, that the obese individual—I dislike that term—will have to have a balanced diet even while reducing if he is to maintain his health. One will lose weight on these menus, but as very many can testify they lose their health also. One cannot live on an unbalanced diet for any length of time without becoming unbalanced also. And furthermore the over-weighter will always have to diet more or less, and will have to have menus which he can continue to use. After normal weight is reached he will not have to be nearly so abstemious, but the same dietetic errors which produced overweight in the first place will produce it again. So he must know something of dietetics and he must have a balanced diet.
Now I shall make out some balanced menus, 1200 C's a day, being careful to include a large amount of the leafy vegetables and some milk or its products, the foods that McCollom calls PROTECTIVE FOODS because they contain in a large measure the essential mineral salts, and those vital elements he has called "Fat soluble A" and "Water soluble B"—others call vitamines—which he has proved to be so vital and necessary for growth in the young and the maintenance of health in the adult. I shall also include 200-300 C's of protein.
The leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, celery tops, lettuce, onion, Swiss chard, turnip tops, and other leaves employed as greens, water cress, etc., not only contain these vital elements, but they also exert a favourable influence on sluggish bowels and kidneys. They are low in caloric value, hence are low in fat-producing properties, and can be consumed with indiscretion, properly masticated.
It is better while you are reducing to stay away from the dining table when you do not expect to eat. If you are rooming, get a tiny sterno outfit, some substitute or coffee, some canned or dry milk, some sugar if you use it, and you can make a hot drink in your room and be independent for your breakfast and your evening meal, when you decide some day to go without that. Do not take more than 100 calories for your breakfast. That leaves you 1100 calories to be divided during the day if you go on a 1200 calorie schedule. I suggest the following distribution of the calories:
Breakfast 100 C's. Lunch 350 " Tea 100 " Dinner 650 "
You can reverse the dinner and lunch if you desire. If you do so then have your 100 calories I have allowed for tea time to take just before you retire. On a 1200 calorie schedule arranged as I have it you will not be hungry, I assure you. It will not be more than three or four days before your stomach will be shrunk and this amount I have allowed you will almost seem like overeating! That is the big idea. Shrink your stomach. Go on a fast or low calorie day for a day if necessary to get started. See page 81.
I can safely say that any up and around adult will reduce on 1200 calories, for that will not supply the basal metabolism, i.e., the body's internal activities, such as the beating of the heart, respiration, digestion, excretion, etc., and some of the body's stored fat will be called upon to supply the deficiency. How much one will reduce depends on how many calories are actually needed for the internal and the external activities. See pages 26 and 27. It is not advisable to reduce too rapidly. See page 85.
Now you have 1200 calories a day to eat. Let us think of this in terms of money. You have a limited amount of money every day to spend for food. You must spend it judiciously and get the food you need and want. If you spend the most of it on one article you have that much less for other things. It is possible that some days you will want to spend more than your allowance and you draw on your next day's supply. That will be all right if you remember that you have done so and will spend that much less the next day to equalize your account. You must study to spend wisely and carefully so as to supply your needs, but you cannot spend more than you have without restitution and retribution. Here are the menus:
BREAKFASTS
100 C. Each
1. Fruit 2 med. apples or 1 baked apple with 2 tsps. sugar or 1 large orange or 1/2 large grapefruit or 1 small cup berries or 1/2 good sized cantaloupe or 2 med. figs or 5 prunes
2. 1 cup coffee or cereal coffee.. O 1 tbsp. cream..................50 C 2 small tsp. sugar.............50 C or 2 cups with cream alone or sugar alone —— Total...........................100 C
3. 10 ozs. skim milk hot or cold or 5 ozs. whole milk.....................100 C
4. 1 cup coffee clear............. 0 1 thin slice toast.............75 C 1/4 pat butter.................25 C —— Total.............................100 C
Note—The skim milk breakfasts and teas are most desirable because of the protein content.
TEAS
100 C. Each See lists for breakfasts. Also could have:
1. 1 cup tea with 1 tsp. sugar 1 slice lemon................25 C 3 soda crackers..............75 C —— Total....................................100 C
2. 2 small plain cookies tea no cream or sugar...............100 C
3. 1 chocolate cream 1 cup tea or hot water no cream or sugar...................100 C
* * * * *
The following combinations need not be followed arbitrarily. You may change them around if you desire. Look in the calorie lists for substitutes of the same classes of foods, if you do not like my combinations. If you don't care for the 100 C's at tea time you may have that much more for dinner.
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar or 10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts). 100 C
LUNCH
1 medium sized head lettuce 1/3 lb........................... 25 C 1 tbsp. mayonnaise...............100 C 1 med. sweet pickle chopped for mayonnaise....................... 25 C 1-1/8 inch cube cream cheese melted or 3 ozs. cottage cheese............100 C 1 Toasted French roll (no butter) .................................100 C ——-
Total.................................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea and 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon or 10 ozs. skim or buttermilk or 100 C. fruit (see list)................100 C
DINNER
Creamed dried beef on toast Dried beef 4 thin slices 4 x 5.100 C Cut fine and crisped in frying pan with 1/2 tbsp. butter.........50 C 1 tbsp. flour browned with above...........................25 C Add 1 cup skim milk (7 ozs.) cook gently.....................70 C ——- 245 C
2 slices crisp toast (pour above over)..........................200 C 1 large serving raw celery or raw cabbage.....................15 C 1 large baked apple with 1 tbsp. syrup..........................120 C 1 glass skim milk (7 oz.)........70 C
Total.......................650 C ———- Grand Total................1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water, with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST Coffee or postum with cream or sugar or 10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts)...........................100 C
LUNCH
Celery—eat tender leaves also 10-14 stalks...................30 C Olives—5 good sized ripe.......100 C 1 small slice corn bread........100 C 12 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk.120 C ——- Total...................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon or 10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk or 100 C fruit (see list).................100 C
DINNER
Broiled halibut (or lean beef) steak 4-5 ozs. with lemon.......150 C Lettuce (no oil) average serving....0 1 slice whole wheat bread or roll.100 C 1/2 pat butter.....................50 C Dessert 1-6 pie...................350 C 1 cup clear postum or coffee........0 ——- Total...................650 C ———- Grand Total............1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar or 10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts) .........................100 C
LUNCH
Combination salad Shredded lettuce 10 leaves......0 1 large tomato.................50 C 6 stalks chopped celery........15 C tender leaves included 1/2 med. cucumber..............15 C 1 med. grated carrot...........20 C —— 100 C
1/2 tbsp. mayonnaise or oil......50 C with vinegar or lemon 1 slice whole wheat bread.......100 C 10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk.100 C ——-
Total..................................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon or 10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk or 100 C fruit (see list).................100 C
DINNER
Croquettes of split peas or beans 1/2 cup mashed beans or peas 1/4 cup toast crumbs 1 tsp. cream or canned milk made into croquettes and baked or broiled.................225 C Stewed tomatoes 8 ozs. or 1 large fresh tomato.............50 C 1 slice bread or 5 small pretzels......................100 C 1 double serving lettuce or chopped cabbage or cauliflower.15 C 1 slice lemon, custard or squash pie, no top crust.............260 C 1 cup clear coffee or postum......0 ——-
Total..........................650 C ——- Grand Total...................1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar or 10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts)...........................100 C
LUNCH
Fruit salad 1 large orange.................100 C 1 average apple.................50 C 1 small banana.................100 C 2 tbsps. lemon juice............10 C 2 small teasps. sugar...........40 C ——- 300 C Sprinkle with 1 tbsp. grapenuts..50 C
Total.........................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon or 10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk or 100 C. fruit (see list)................100 C
DINNER
12 moderate sized oysters..............100 C Dipped in 1 beaten egg and crumbs of 3 crackers.........150 C Fried gently in 1 tbsp. of bacon or other fat...........125 C ——- 375 C 2 small slices crisped bacon.....50 C 1 small dish chow chow with lettuce.........................25 C 1 slice bread or its equivalent.100 C 1/2 pat butter...................50 C Dessert 1 medium baked apple with no sugar..................50 C ——- Total.........................650 C ——— Grand Total..................1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar
or
10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts) .........................100 C
LUNCH
2 eggs 160 C fried gently in 1 tsp. bacon fat or butter............40 C
or
soft boiled or poached eggs with 1 slice crisped bacon....200 C 1 roll or 1 slice whole wheat bread.........................100 C Butter 1/2 pat...................50 C Coffee, postum or tea clear.......0 ——- Total..................................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon
or
10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk
or
100 C fruit (see list).................100 C
DINNER
2 toasted shredded wheat biscuits.200 C 2 glasses skim milk...............150 C 1 dish stewed prunes 8 with 1 tbsp. syrup............200 C 10-12 peanuts.....................100 C Coffee, postum or tea clear.........0 C ——- Total..................................650 C ——- Grand Total...........................1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar
or
10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts) .........................100 C
LUNCH
6 oz. cream soup, Potato, tomato, clam chowder, etc. (use skim milk)..........200 C Shredded cabbage, lettuce, celery
or
any greens—average helping practically.....................0 C 1/2 tbsp. mayonnaise or oil
or
1 tbsp. cream dressing...........50 C 2 soda crackers..................50 C 1 average apple..................50 C ——- Total..................................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon
or
10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk
or
100 C fruit (see list).................100 C
DINNER
Carrot and cottage cheese salad (The Home Dietitian—Comstock) 1/2 cup ground carrots 1-6 cup chopped nuts 3 oz. cottage cheese 3 oz. large lemon (juice of)......250 C 8 ozs. consomme, no fat..............30 C 4 crackers or 1 roll or slice bread 100 C 1/2 pat butter.......................50 C Average helping lettuce or other greens—no oil......................0 Dessert—gelatine pudding, average serving...................120 C Whipped cream 1 heaping tbsp........100 C Coffee or postum or tea clear....... 0 ——- Total....................................650 C ——— Grand Total.............................1200 C
1200 C DAY
ON ARISING
2 cups hot water with a little lemon juice. 10-minute exercise at least
BREAKFAST
Coffee or postum with cream or sugar or 10 ozs. skim milk (see list of breakfasts).........................100 C
LUNCH
Baked beans if canned 3 h. tbsp., if home baked 1-1/2.......................150 C Pickled beets 5 med. slices......... 25 C Large amount celery or lettuce or other green leaves............. 25 C 1 slice toasted Swedish health bread (made of oatmeal) or 1 roll............................100 C 1 cup coffee or postum clear........ 0 C Medium apple........................ 50 C ——- Total............................350 C
TEA
3 crackers with tea with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 slice lemon or 10 ozs. skim milk or buttermilk or 100 C fruit (see list)...................100 C
DINNER
Cottage cheese omelet 2 med. eggs.......................160 C 3 ozs. cottage cheese.............100 C 1 tbsp. cream or condensed milk.................... 50 C ——- 310 C
Salt to taste Bake or fry gently in 1/2 tbsp. fat. 40 C (Can substitute 100 C chopped lean meat for cottage cheese) 1 small head celery tender leaves and all........................... 25 C 1 slice bread or equivalent.........100 C Butter 1/2, pat..................... 50 C 1 dish plain stewed tomatoes, squash, carrots, spinach or onions, etc....................... 25 C 5 almonds or 5 peanuts or 2 large walnuts..................... 50 C 10 raisins.......................... 50 C ——- Total............................650 C ——— Grand Total.....................1200 C
Finished But Not Famished
+ -+ WEEKLY WEIGHT CHART + -+ Month 1st Week 2nd Week 3rd Week 4th Week 5th Week + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ -+ TOTAL C. PER DAY + -+ Month Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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