A is for _Apples_
and also for _Air_;
Children need both
and we have them to spare.
B is for _Butter_ spread
thick on _Brown Bread_,
Also for _Baths_
before Breakfast or Bed.
C is for _Cereals_
and _Cocoa_ too;
Consider the _Calories_
coming to You.
D is for _Dates_,
the kind that You eat,
Deliciously sweet
and far cheaper than Meat.
E is the Excellent
Edible _Egg_,
One daily at least,
dear Children, we beg.
F is for _Fruits_, whether
fresh, dried or stewed;
Dried, at the Grocer's,
you'll buy them, if shrewd.
G is for _Gaining_,
as every Child could,
A half pound a Month
is the least that he should.
H is for _Height_,
be as tall as you can,
Weight up to _Height_
makes a healthy strong Man.
I is for _Iron_
in Spinach and Eggs,
Builds Red Blood and Sinews
for strong Arms and Legs.
J is for _Jam_
and also for _Joy_,
Which spread on his Bread
it brings to a Boy.
K is for _Kitchen_
so spick and so span,
We all like our Food
from a shining clean Pan.
L is for _Luncheon_
served hot in the School;
We wish all the Teachers
could follow this Rule.
M is for _Milk_ which
makes _Muscle_ and Bone;
One pint a day
would be best till you're grown.
N is for _News_
of habits you need,
To grow up so healthy
you're bound to succeed.
O is for _Oatmeal_,
the finest of Food;
With Milk for your Breakfast
there's nothing so good.
P is for _Prunes_,
_Potatoes_ and _Peas_,
And _Patriots_ who will
be glad to eat these.
Q is for _Quiet_,
we frequently need;
After Meals don't run
at the top of your speed.
R is for _Rest_
and _Round Rosy Faces_;
_Rest_ is a thing
which nothing replaces.
S is important
and therefore I hope
You'll pardon my specially
mentioning _Soap_.
T is a _Topic_
which _Trouble_ begins;
Both _Tea_ and Coffee
for Children are Sins.
U _Understanding_
the best way to live,
_United_ for Service
our Country to give.
V is for _Vegetables_;
if you're too slim,
These _Victuals_ are full
of _Vigor_ and _Vim_.
W is for _Water_,
the best thing to drink
Between Meals
as often as ever we think.
X is for _Xtras_
of Soup or of Milk
For a thin little Girl
till she's finer than Silk.
Y is for _You_,
and I tell you the Truth,
Learn to be Healthy
and Strong in your _Youth_.
Now march for it, Children,
with Drum and with Fife.
Z is the _Zest_
which Health gives to Life.
[P] Used by permission of the author and of the publishers, The Child
Health Organization.