Inasmuch as fat contributes no item of strength to its own support, if the patient will take a reasonable amount of exercise and fresh air, muscular tissue will increase in the same ratio that fatty tissue decreases.
[Sidenote: How menus for obesity may be varied]
The menus for obesity may be varied according to the fruits and vegetables at one's command. Fish is the one article among animal food that has much to recommend it, insomuch that it contains an excellent form of proteid and phosphorus. If the taste of the patient should rebel against natural foods, fish would supply these elements better than any form of flesh.
The following articles should compose the general diet for the obese under ordinary conditions:
Buttermilk Eggs or fish--limited quantity Fruits Green salads Nuts { Such as-- { { Asparagus { Beans { Beets { Carrots Fresh vegetables { Celery { Parsnips { Peas { Pumpkins { Spinach { Squash { Turnips
The ordinary obese person should adopt either of the following menus, varying them according to vegetables in season:
An orange, or grapes Choose two of the following: One or two eggs, whipped Berries, grapes, peaches, plums, pears, apples, melons, soaked evaporated apricots, peaches, or prunes
Choice of two fresh vegetables, One fresh vegetable cooked A small portion of fish A baked potato A baked potato One very ripe banana, with two tablespoonfuls of nuts
A salad of lettuce or romaine Spanish onions Peas, beans, beets, carrots, or An egg, or a small portion turnips of fish Two tablespoonfuls of nuts Tablespoonful of nuts One egg One or two vegetables A green salad
[Sidenote: Foods should be selected according to vocation]
If the patient is doing manual labor, the proteid foods, such as milk, cheese, nuts, fish and eggs should be increased according to the work. If, however, the labor is sedative, such as followed by the average business man, the amounts herein prescribed are sufficient. The breakfast should be taken an hour after rising, and the luncheon early, not later than 12 noon, and the dinner not later than 6 p.m.
The symptoms during the first two or three days will be that of weakness and perhaps hunger, leaving the impression of under-nourishment. This will disappear after the third or fourth day, and strength will not only return to normal, but the body will feel more energetic than before, and there will be a marked increase in the powers of endurance. If the patient can be induced to "fight it out" for a week on these lines, favorable symptoms will develop so fast that the practitioner will be aided in his work by the mental conviction of the patient, and success will be assured.