(4) Broth and Meat. — There is some difference of opin- ion regarding the use of meat in children's diet. Some authorities advise beef broth and the more easily digested meats for young children. Others say that if a generous amount of eggs and milk are included in children's diet, it is well not to give them meat before eight years. In some diets for infants beef juice and scraped meat are given, while in the diets for children from two to twelve years, given on page 385, neither broth nor meat is included. It is pos- sible to obtain sufficient protein from milk and eggs. Doubt- less, as with adults, most young children would be benefited by much less meat than is generally given them or by none DIET FOR CHILDREN AND INFANTS 383 at all. If meat is given to young children, it should be scraped (see Experiment 47, p. 119) and pan-broiled (see Pan-Broiling, p. 125), as it is somewhat difficult to masticate, (5) Fresh Vegetables should be included in children's diet. For very young children select mild vegetables such as spinach, asparagus tips, string beans, and peas. Cook until very soft and press through a sieve or mash. Later, such cooked vegetables as potatoes (baked or mashed), beets, carrots, cauliflower, and squash may be added. No uncooked vegetables should be given to young children. A child under ten years should not eat corn, lima beans, cabbage, or egg-plant. (6) Fruits and Sugar. — Fruits are especially valuable for children. Care should be taken, however, in selecting fruits. It is said that until a child is five years old only cooked fruits and the juice of fresh fruits should be given. For very young children the juice of orange or the pulp of cooked prunes should be given daily, because they contain iron. For older children the cooked food fruit (see Kinds of Fruits, p. 31) such as dates, figs, and raisins (without seeds), and bananas (baked) are desirable. Apples, peaches, and apricots, baked or made into sauces, are also sug- gested. Fruits should be cooked with little or no sugar. Sweets in the form of sweet fruits rather than sugar and candy should be given to children under six years. After six years, very little candy or sweet chocolate may be given, at the end of a meal, not between meals. It is a mistake to give children candy just because they want it. (See The Use of Candy in Diet, p. 313.) (7) Desserts. — Fruits selected and prepared as given in the previous section, very plain cakes — sponge cake and those containing little fat — and easily digested desserts made of eggs, milk, cereals, etc., are the only desserts suit- able for young children. 384 THE PLANNING AND SERVING OF MEALS (8) Water and other Beverages. — " Pure " water in gener- ous quantities is needed for children. Water and milk are the only beverages (if milk can be considered a beverage) that should be given to children under six years. After that age, cocoa made with much milk may be given, but not tea, coffee, beer, or any fruit or carbonated drinks.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

(4) Broth and Meat. — There is some difference of opinion regarding the use of meat in children's diet. Some authorities advise beef broth and the more easily digested meats for young children. Others say that if a generous amount of eggs and milk are included in children's diet, it is well not to give them meat before eight years. In some diets for infants beef juice and scraped meat are given, while in the diets for children from two to twelve years, given on page 385, neither broth nor meat is included. It is possible to obtain sufficient protein from milk and eggs. Doubtless, as with adults, most young children would be benefited by much less meat than is generally given them or by none at all. If meat is given to young children, it should be scraped (see Experiment 47, p. 119) and pan-broiled (see Pan-Broiling, p. 125), as it is somewhat difficult to masticate, (5) Fresh Vegetables should be included in children's diet. For very young children select mild vegetables such as spinach, asparagus tips, string beans, and peas. Cook until very soft and press through a sieve or mash. Later, such cooked vegetables as potatoes (baked or mashed), beets, carrots, cauliflower, and squash may be added. No uncooked vegetables should be given to young children. A child under ten years should not eat corn, lima beans, cabbage, or egg-plant. (6) Fruits and Sugar. — Fruits are especially valuable for children. Care should be taken, however, in selecting fruits. It is said that until a child is five years old only cooked fruits and the juice of fresh fruits should be given. For very young children the juice of orange or the pulp of cooked prunes should be given daily, because they contain iron. For older children the cooked food fruit (see Kinds of Fruits, p. 31) such as dates, figs, and raisins (without seeds), and bananas (baked) are desirable. Apples, peaches, and apricots, baked or made into sauces, are also suggested. Fruits should be cooked with little or no sugar. Sweets in the form of sweet fruits rather than sugar and candy should be given to children under six years. After six years, very little candy or sweet chocolate may be given, at the end of a meal, not between meals. It is a mistake to give children candy just because they want it. (See The Use of Candy in Diet, p. 313.) (7) Desserts. — Fruits selected and prepared as given in the previous section, very plain cakes — sponge cake and those containing little fat — and easily digested desserts made of eggs, milk, cereals, etc., are the only desserts suitable for young children. (8) Water and other Beverages. — " Pure " water in generous quantities is needed for children. Water and milk are the only beverages (if milk can be considered a beverage) that should be given to children under six years. After that age, cocoa made with much milk may be given, but not tea, coffee, beer, or any fruit or carbonated drinks.

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