The
same is true of alcohol taken immediately before meals. If we only give
nature a chance, and are perfectly frank and honest with ourselves, she
will guard us against the overconsumption of food. Those who eat but few
varieties of plain food at a meal are not sorely tempted to overeat. But
when one savory dish is served after another it takes much will power to
be moderate.
People generally have had more than sufficient before the last course is
served. However, the various dishes have different flavors and for this
reason the palate is overwhelmed and accepts more food than is good for
us.
Men who like to call their work scientific, figure on the amount of food
we need to furnish a certain number of heat units--calories. Heat, of
course, is a form of energy. Basing the body's food requirements on heat
units expended does not solve the problem. The more food that is
ingested, the more heat units must be manufactured, and often so much
food is taken that the body is compelled to go into the heating
business. Then we have fevers.
A large part of the heat is given off by the skin. Those who overeat are
compelled to do a great deal of radiating.
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