Many people at the ages of sixty and seventy still lead an active life,
while others retire from activity at forty-five or fifty. Therefore, the
food should conform to the person's mental and physical requirements. If
the teeth are poor and the digestive powers weak, the food should be
light, consisting mainly of well cooked cereals, baked potatoes, rice,
cooked greens, a small amount of meat, raw fruits and raw greens in
combination with fatty foods, as salads, milk and buttermilk, toasted
breads and soups.
The total fuel requirement depends upon whether the individual leads a
quiet or active existence. For a person who lives mainly indoors, and
makes little use of the muscles of the arms, shoulders and trunk, 1000
to 1200 calories is sufficient for twenty-four hours. If more food is
eaten than the body requires, the excess will manifest itself by the
development of chronic ailments and obesity, or feeble-mindedness.
The morning and evening meals should consist of fluid and semi-fluid
foods, or of toasted breads and salads. Meats, eggs (except the yolks),
cheese, beans, peas and nuts should be eaten only during the middle of
the day in small quantities. One can cut down his amount of food greatly
by thoroughly chewing each morsel. The demand for protein at this period
is small, while the amount of fat should be increased.