What to Eat

The current sciences of medicine and hygiene have made no progress toward answering the question, What shall I eat? The contests between the vegetarians and the meat eaters, the cooked food advocates, raw food advocates, and various other "schools" of theorists, seem to be interminable; and from the mountains of evidence and argument piled up for and against each special theory, it is plain that if we depend on these scientists we shall never know what is the natural food of man. Turning away from the whole controversy, then, we will ask the question of nature herself, and we shall find that she has not left us without an answer.

Modern medicine and hygiene have made no progress toward answering the question: What should I eat? The disputes among vegetarians, meat eaters, advocates of cooked food, advocates of raw food, and other "schools" of theorists seem endless. Mountains of evidence and arguments have been piled up for and against each theory. It is clear that if we depend on these scientists, we will never know what humans are naturally meant to eat. So let us turn away from the whole controversy and ask nature herself. We will find that she has not left us without an answer.

Most of the errors of dietary scientists grow out of a false premise as to the natural state of man. It is assumed that civilization and mental development are unnatural things; that the man who lives in a modern house, in city or country, and who works in modern trade or industry for his living is leading an unnatural life, and is in an unnatural environment; that the only "natural" man is a naked savage, and that the farther we get from the savage the farther we are from nature. This is wrong. The man who has all that art and science can give him is leading the most natural life, because he is living most completely in all his faculties. The dweller in a well-appointed city flat, with modern conveniences and good ventilation, is living a far more naturally human life than the Australian savage who lives in a hollow tree or a hole in the ground.

Most errors made by dietary scientists come from a false idea about the natural state of man. They assume that civilization and mental development are unnatural. They believe that a man who lives in a modern house, whether in the city or country, lives unnaturally. They believe the same of a man who earns his living in modern trade or industry. They also assume that his environment is unnatural. They believe that the only "natural" man is a naked savage. And they believe that the farther we get from the savage, the farther we are from nature. This is wrong. A man who has everything art and science can give him is leading the most natural life. That is because he is using all his faculties most fully. A person living in a well-equipped city apartment, with modern conveniences and good ventilation, lives a far more naturally human life. His life is more natural than that of the Australian savage who lives in a hollow tree or a hole in the ground.

That Great Intelligence, which is in all and through all, has in reality practically settled the question as to what we shall eat. In ordering the affairs of nature, It has decided that man's food shall be according to the zone in which he lives. In the frigid regions of the far North, fuel foods are required. The development of brain is not large, nor is the life severe in its labor-tax on muscle; and so the Esquimaux live largely on the blubber and fat of aquatic animals. No other diet is possible to them; they could not get fruits, nuts, or vegetables even if they were disposed to eat them; and they could not live on them in that climate if they could get them. So, notwithstanding the arguments of the vegetarians, the Esquimaux will continue to live on animal fats.

The Great Intelligence that is in all and through all has essentially settled the question of what we should eat. In ordering nature, it has decided that people’s food should depend on the region where they live. In the freezing regions of the far North, foods that provide fuel are needed. Brain development is not extensive there, nor does life demand heavy muscular labor. So the Esquimaux live largely on the blubber and fat of aquatic animals. No other diet is possible for them. They could not get fruits, nuts, or vegetables even if they wanted to eat them. And even if they could get them, they could not live on them in that climate. So, despite the vegetarians’ arguments, the Esquimaux will continue to live on animal fats.

On the other hand, as we come toward the tropics, we find fuel foods less required; and we find the people naturally inclining toward a vegetarian diet. Millions live on rice and fruits; and the food regimen of an Esquimaux village, if followed upon the equator, would result in speedy death. A "natural" diet for the equatorial regions would be very far from being a natural diet near the North Pole; and the people of either zone, if not interfered with by medical or dietary "scientists," will be guided by the All Intelligence, which seeks the fullest life in all, to feed themselves in the best way for the promotion of perfect health. In general, you can see that God, working in nature and in the evolution of human society and customs, has answered your question as to what you shall eat; and I advise you to take His answer in preference to that of any man.

On the other hand, as we move toward the tropics, people need fewer foods for fuel. We also find that they naturally tend toward a vegetarian diet. Millions live on rice and fruit. If people at the equator followed the diet of an Esquimaux village, they would soon die. A "natural" diet near the equator would be very different from one near the North Pole. If medical or dietary "scientists" do not interfere, people in either zone will be guided by the All Intelligence. It seeks the fullest life in all and guides people to eat in the way that best promotes perfect health. In general, you can see that God has answered your question about what to eat. He has done so through nature and the evolution of human society and customs. I advise you to take his answer over that of any man.

In the temperate zone the largest demands are made on man in spirit, mind, and body; and here we find the greatest variety of foods provided by nature. And it is really quite useless and superfluous to theorize on the question what the masses shall eat, for they have no choice; they must eat the foods which are staple products of the zone in which they live. It is impossible to supply all the people with a nut-and-fruit or raw food diet; and the fact that it is impossible is proof positive that these are not the foods intended by nature, for nature, being formed for the advancement of life, has not made the obtaining of the means of life an impossibility. So, I say, the question, What shall I eat? has been answered for you. Eat wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat; eat vegetables; eat meats, eat fruits, eat the things that are eaten by the masses of the people around the world, for in this matter the voice of the people is the voice of God. They have been led, generally, to the selection of certain foods; and they have been led, generally, to prepare these foods in generally similar ways; and you may depend upon it that in general they have the right foods and are preparing them in the right way. In these matters the race has been under the guidance of God. The list of foods in common use is a long one, and you must select therefrom according to your individual taste; if you do, you will find that you have an infallible guide, as shown in the next two chapters.

In the temperate zone, the greatest demands are made on people in spirit, mind, and body. Here, too, nature provides the greatest variety of foods. It is really useless and unnecessary to theorize about what most people should eat, because they have no choice. They must eat the staple foods produced in the zone where they live. It is impossible to supply everyone with a diet of nuts and fruit or raw food. That impossibility is positive proof that nature did not intend these foods as our diet. Nature is designed to advance life, so it has not made the means of life impossible to obtain. So, I say, the question, What shall I eat? has been answered for you. Eat wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and buckwheat. Eat vegetables, meats, and fruits. Eat the foods eaten by most people around the world. In this matter, the voice of the people is the voice of God. People have generally been led to choose certain foods. They have also generally been led to prepare them in similar ways. You may be sure that, in general, they have the right foods and prepare them in the right way. In these matters, the human race has been guided by God. The list of foods in common use is long, and you must choose from it according to your own taste. If you do, you will find that you have an infallible guide, as the next two chapters show.

If you do not eat until you have an EARNED hunger, you will not find your taste demanding unnatural or unhealthy foods. The woodchopper, who has swung his axe continuously from seven in the morning until noon does not come in clamoring for cream puffs and confectionery; he wants pork and beans, or beefsteak and potatoes, or corn bread and cabbage; he asks for the plain solids. Offer to crack him a few walnuts and give him a plate of lettuce, and you will be met with huge disdain; those things are not natural foods for a workingman. And if they are not natural foods for a workingman, they are not for any other man; for work hunger is the only real hunger, and requires the same materials to satisfy it, whether it be in woodchopper or banker, in man, woman or child.

If you do not eat until you have an EARNED hunger, you will not crave unnatural or unhealthy foods. A woodchopper who has swung his axe steadily from seven in the morning until noon does not come in demanding cream puffs and candy. He wants pork and beans, or steak and potatoes, or cornbread and cabbage. He asks for plain, solid food. Offer to crack a few walnuts for him and give him a plate of lettuce, and he will scorn the offer. Those are not natural foods for a working man. And if they are not natural foods for a working man, they are not natural foods for anyone else. Hunger earned through work is the only real hunger. It requires the same foods to satisfy it, whether in a woodchopper or a banker, a man, woman, or child.

It is a mistake to suppose that food must be selected with anxious care to fit the vocation of the person who eats. It is not true that the woodchopper requires "heavy" or "solid" foods and the bookkeeper "light" foods. If you are a bookkeeper, or other brain worker, and do not eat until you have an EARNED hunger, you will want exactly the same foods that the woodchopper wants. Your body is made of exactly the same elements as that of the woodchopper, and requires the same materials for cell-building; why, then, feed him on ham and eggs and corn bread and you on crackers and toast? True, most of his waste is of muscle, while most of yours is of brain and nerve tissue; but it is also true that the woodchopper's diet contains all the requisites for brain and nerve building in far better proportions than they are found in most "light" foods. The world's best brain work has been done on the fare of the working people. The world's greatest thinkers have invariably lived on the plain solid foods common among the masses.

It is a mistake to think you must carefully choose food to suit your occupation. It is not true that a woodchopper needs "heavy" or "solid" foods and a bookkeeper needs "light" foods. If you are a bookkeeper or another kind of brain worker, wait until you have an EARNED hunger before eating. Then you will want exactly the same foods as the woodchopper. Your body is made of exactly the same elements as the woodchopper’s. It needs the same materials to build cells. So why feed him ham and eggs and corn bread, while you eat crackers and toast? True, most of his waste is muscle tissue, while most of yours is brain and nerve tissue. But the woodchopper’s diet also contains everything needed to build brain and nerve tissue. It contains these materials in far better proportions than most "light" foods. The world’s best brain work has been done on the food eaten by working people. The world’s greatest thinkers have always lived on the plain, solid foods common among ordinary people.

Let the bookkeeper wait until he has an earned hunger before he eats; and then, if he wants ham, eggs, and corn bread, by all means let him eat them; but let him remember that he does not need one-twentieth of the amount necessary for the woodchopper. It is not eating "hearty" foods which gives the brain worker indigestion; it is eating as much as would be needed by a muscle worker. Indigestion is never caused by eating to satisfy hunger; it is always caused by eating to gratify appetite. If you eat in the manner prescribed in the next chapter, your taste will soon become so natural that you will never WANT anything that you cannot eat with impunity; and you can drop the whole anxious question of what to eat from your mind forever, and simply eat what you want. Indeed, that is the only way to do if you are to think no thoughts but those of health; for you cannot think health so long as you are in continual doubt and uncertainty as to whether you are getting the right bills of fare.

The bookkeeper should wait until he has earned a hunger before eating. Then, if he wants ham, eggs, and corn bread, he should certainly eat them. But he should remember that he does not need one-twentieth of the amount a woodchopper needs. Eating "hearty" foods does not give a brain worker indigestion. Eating as much as a muscle worker needs does. Indigestion is never caused by eating to satisfy hunger. It is always caused by eating to gratify appetite. If you eat as the next chapter prescribes, your taste will soon become natural. You will never WANT anything you cannot eat without harm. You can stop worrying about what to eat forever and simply eat what you want. In fact, that is the only way to think only thoughts of health. You cannot think about health while constantly doubting and wondering whether you are eating the right foods.

"Take no thought what ye shall eat," said Jesus, and he spoke wisely. The foods found on the table of any ordinary middle-class or working class family will nourish your body perfectly if you eat at the right times and in the right way. If you want meat, eat it; and if you do not want it, do not eat it, and do not suppose that you must find some special substitute for it. You can live perfectly well on what is left on any table after the meat has been removed.

"Do not worry about what you will eat," said Jesus, and he spoke wisely. The food served by any ordinary middle-class or working-class family will nourish your body perfectly. You just need to eat at the right times and in the right way. If you want meat, eat it. If you do not want meat, do not eat it. And do not think you need to find a special substitute for it. You can live perfectly well on what remains on any table after the meat is removed.

It is not necessary to worry about a "varied" diet, so as to get in all the necessary elements. The Chinese and Hindus build very good bodies and excellent brains on a diet of few variations, rice making almost the whole of it. The Scotch are physically and mentally strong on oatmeal cakes; and the Irishman is husky of body and brilliant of mind on potatoes and pork. The wheat berry contains practically all that is necessary for the building of brain and body; and a man can live very well on a monodiet of navy beans.

You do not need to worry about eating a "varied" diet to get all the necessary elements. The Chinese and Hindus build very good bodies and excellent brains on a diet with little variety, consisting almost entirely of rice. The Scotch are physically and mentally strong on oatmeal cakes. The Irishman is strong in body and brilliant in mind on potatoes and pork. The wheat berry contains practically everything needed to build the brain and body. A man can live very well on a diet of navy beans alone.

Form a conception of perfect health for yourself, and do not hold any thought which is not a thought of health.

Picture yourself in perfect health, and hold only thoughts of health.

NEVER eat until you have an EARNED HUNGER. Remember that it will not hurt you in the least to go hungry for a short time; but it will surely hurt you to eat when you are not hungry.

NEVER eat until you have an EARNED HUNGER. Remember, going hungry for a short time will not hurt you at all. But eating when you are not hungry will surely hurt you.

Do not give the least thought to what you should or should not eat; simply eat what is set before you, selecting that which pleases your taste most. In other words, eat what you want. This you can do with perfect results if you eat in the right way; and how to do this will be explained in the next chapter.

Do not give any thought to what you should or should not eat. Simply eat what is set before you, choosing what tastes best to you. In other words, eat what you want. You can do this with perfect results if you eat in the right way. The next chapter will explain how to do that.