Digestion
by Ellen White
There should be in our sanitarium a cook who thoroughly understands the work, one who
has good judgement, who can experiment, who will not introduce into the food those things
which should be avoided. It is well to leave sugar out of the crackers that are made. Some
enjoy best the sweetest crackers, but these are an injury to the digestive organs. Butter
should not be placed on the table, for if it is some will use it too freely, and it will
obstruct digestion. But for yourself, you should occasionally use a little butter on cold
bread, if this will make the food more appetising. This would do you far less harm than to
confine yourself to preparations of food that are not palatable. 12MR 173
[ Overworked Stomach Weakens Mental Powers. ] -- Children are generally untaught in
regard to the importance of when, how, and what they should eat. They are permitted to
indulge their tastes freely, to eat at all hours, to help themselves to fruit when it
tempts their eyes, and this, with the pie, cake, bread and butter, and sweetmeats eaten
almost constantly, makes them gourmands and dyspeptics. The digestive organs, like a mill
which is continually kept running, become enfeebled, vital force is called from the brain
to aid the stomach in its overwork, and thus the mental powers are weakened. The unnatural
stimulation and wear of the vital forces make them nervous, impatient of restraint,
self-willed, and irritable.-- HR, May, 1877. (CD 181.) 2MCP 443
[ Borrowed Power Results in Depression. ] --Through the intemperance begun at home, the
digestive organs first become weakened, and soon ordinary food does not satisfy the
appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a craving for more
stimulating food. Tea and coffee produce an immediate effect. Under the influence of these
poisons the nervous system is excited; and in some cases, for the time being, the
intellect seems to be invigorated, the imagination more vivid. Because these stimulants
produce such agreeable results, many conclude that they really need them; but there is
always a reaction. 2MCP 484
The second effect of tea drinking is headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart,
indigestion, trembling of the nerves, with many other evils. "I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." God calls
for a living sacrifice, not a dead or dying one. When we realise the requirements of God,
we shall see that He requires us to be temperate in all things. The end of our creation is
to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which are His. How can we do this when we
indulge the appetite to the injury of the physical and moral powers? God requires that we
present our bodies a living sacrifice. Then the duty is enjoined on us to preserve that
body in the very best condition of health, that we may comply with His requirements.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God." 2T 065
I frequently sit down to the tables of the brethren and sisters, and see that they use
a great amount of milk and sugar. These clog the system, irritate the digestive organs,
and affect the brain. Anything that hinders the active motion of the living machinery
affects the brain very directly. And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is
more injurious than meat. These changes should be made cautiously, and the subject should
be treated in a manner not calculated to disgust and prejudice those whom we would teach
and help. 2T 370
I would advise all to take something warm into the stomach every morning at least. You
can do this without much labour. You can make graham gruel. If the graham flour is too
coarse, sift it, and while the gruel is hot, add milk. This will make a most palatable and
healthful dish for the campground. And if your bread is dry, crumb it into the gruel, and
it will be enjoyed. I do not approve of eating much cold food, for the reason that the
vitality must be drawn from the system to warm the food until it becomes of the same
temperature as the stomach before the work of digestion can be carried on. Another very
simple yet wholesome dish is beans boiled or baked. Dilute a portion of them with water,
add milk or cream, and make a broth; the bread can be used as in graham gruel. 2T 603
Intemperance commences at our tables in the use of unhealthful food. After a time,
through continued indulgence, the digestive organs become weakened, and the food taken
does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a
craving for more stimulating food. Tea, coffee, and flesh meats produce an immediate
effect. Under the influence of these poisons the nervous system is excited, and, in some
cases, for the time being, the intellect seems to be invigorated and the imagination to be
more vivid. Because these stimulants produce for the time being such agreeable results,
many conclude that they really need them and continue their use. But there is always a
reaction. The nervous system, having been unduly excited, borrowed power for present use
from its future resources of strength. All this temporary invigoration of the system is
followed by depression. In proportion as these stimulants temporarily invigorate the
system will be the letting down of the power of the excited organs after the stimulus has
lost its force. The appetite is educated to crave something stronger which will have a
tendency to keep up and increase the agreeable excitement, until indulgence becomes habit,
and there is a continual craving for stronger stimulus, as tobacco, wines, and liquors.
The more the appetite is indulged, the more frequent will be its demands and the more
difficult of control. The more debilitated the system becomes and the less able to do
without unnatural stimulus, the more the passion for these things increases, until the
will is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural craving for these
indulgences. 3T 487
Intemperance commences at our tables in the use of unhealthful food. After a time,
through continued indulgence, the digestive organs become weakened, and the food taken
does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a
craving for more stimulating food. Tea, coffee, and flesh meats produce an immediate
effect. Under the influence of these poisons the nervous system is excited, and, in some
cases, for the time being, the intellect seems to be invigorated and the imagination to be
more vivid. Because these stimulants produce for the time being such agreeable results,
many conclude that they really need them and continue their use. But there is always a
reaction. The nervous system, having been unduly excited, borrowed power for present use
from its future resources of strength. All this temporary invigoration of the system is
followed by depression. In proportion as these stimulants temporarily invigorate the
system will be the letting down of the power of the excited organs after the stimulus has
lost its force. The appetite is educated to crave something stronger which will have a
tendency to keep up and increase the agreeable excitement, until indulgence becomes habit,
and there is a continual craving for stronger stimulus, as tobacco, wines, and liquors.
The more the appetite is indulged, the more frequent will be its demands and the more
difficult of control. The more debilitated the system becomes and the less able to do
without unnatural stimulus, the more the passion for these things increases, until the
will is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural craving for these
indulgences. 3T 487
There is a class who profess to believe the truth, who do not use tobacco, snuff, tea,
or coffee, yet they are guilty of gratifying the appetite in a different manner. They
crave highly-seasoned meats, with rich gravies, and their appetite has become so perverted
that they cannot be satisfied with even meat, unless prepared in a manner most injurious.
The stomach is fevered, the digestive organs are taxed, and yet the stomach labours hard
to dispose of the load forced upon it. After the stomach has performed its task it becomes
exhausted, which causes faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want
of food which produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to rest, they
take more food, which for the time removes the faintness. And the more the appetite is
indulged, the more will be its clamours for gratification. This faintness is generally the
result of meat-eating, and eating frequently, and too much. The stomach becomes weary by
being kept constantly at work, disposing of food not the most healthful. Having no time
for rest, the digestive organs become enfeebled, hence the sense of "goneness,"
and desire for frequent eating. The remedy such require is to eat less frequently and less
liberally, and be satisfied with plain, simple food, eating twice, or at most, three times
a day. The stomach must have its regular periods for labour and rest, hence eating
irregularly between meals is a most pernicious violation of the laws of health. With
regular habits, and proper food, the stomach will gradually recover. 4ASG 129
I was thoroughly convinced that many in the establishment were suffering with
indigestion because of eating this kind of food. The digestive organs were enfeebled, and
the blood impoverished. Their breakfast consisted of coffee and bread with the addition of
prune sauce. This was not healthful. The stomach, after rest and sleep, was better able to
take care of a substantial meal than when wearied with work. Then the noon meal was
generally soup, sometimes meat. The stomach is small, but the appetite, unsatisfied,
partakes largely of this liquid food, so it is burdened. CD 105
[ Health Reformer, May, 1877 ] 288. Children are generally untaught in regard to the
importance of when, how, and what they should eat. They are permitted to indulge their
tastes freely, to eat at all hours, to help themselves to fruit when it tempts their eyes,
and this, with the pie, cake, bread and butter, and sweetmeats eaten almost constantly,
makes them gourmands and dyspeptics. The digestive organs, like a mill which is
continually kept running, become enfeebled, vital force is called from the brain to aid
the stomach in its overwork, and thus the mental powers are weakened. The unnatural
stimulation and wear of the vital forces make them nervous, impatient of restraint,
self-willed, and irritable. CD 181
There is a real common sense in dietetic reform. The subject should be studied broadly
and deeply, and no one should criticise others because their practice is not, in all
things, in harmony with his own. It is impossible to make an unvarying rule to regulate
every one's habits, and no one should think himself a criterion for all. Not all can eat
the same things. Foods that are palatable and wholesome to one person may be distasteful,
and even harmful, to another. Some cannot use milk, while others thrive on it. Some
persons cannot digest peas and beans; others find them wholesome. For some the coarser
grain preparations are good food, while others cannot use them. CD 198
It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian
perfection. The moral sensibilities of your children cannot be easily aroused, unless you
are careful in the selection of their food. Many a mother sets a table that is a snare to
her family. Flesh meats, butter, cheese, rich pastry, spiced foods, and condiments are
freely partaken of by both old and young. These things do their work in deranging the
stomach, exciting the nerves, and enfeebling the intellect. The blood-making organs cannot
convert such things into good blood. The grease cooked in the food renders it difficult of
digestion. The effect of cheese is deleterious. Fine-flour bread does not impart to the
system the nourishment that is to be found in unbolted-wheat bread. Its common use will
not keep the system in the best condition. Spices at first irritate the tender coating of
the stomach, but finally destroy the natural sensitiveness of this delicate membrane. The
blood becomes fevered, the animal propensities are aroused, while the moral and
intellectual powers are weakened, and become servants to the baser passions. The mother
should study to set a simple yet nutritious diet before her family. [CTBH 46, 47 (1890)]
CD 236
501. Hot soda biscuits are often spread with butter, and eaten as a choice diet; but
the enfeebled digestive organs cannot but feel the abuse placed upon them. [ Letter 3,
1884 ] CD 319
508. It is well to leave sugar out of the crackers that are made. Some enjoy best the
sweetest crackers, but these are an injury to the digestive organs. CD 321
Everything is plain yet wholesome because it is not merely thrown together in a
haphazard manner. We have no sugar on our table. Our sauce which is our dependence is
apples, baked or stewed into sauce, sweetened as required before being put upon the table.
We use milk in small quantities. Sugar and milk used at the same time is hard for the
digestive organs, clogs the machinery. CD 330 (LETTER 5, 1870)
Condiments and spices used in the preparation of food for the table aid in digestion in
the same way that tea, coffee, and liquor are supposed to help the labouring man perform
his tasks. After the immediate effects are gone, they drop as correspondingly below par as
they were elevated above par by these stimulating substances. The system is weakened. The
blood is contaminated, and inflammation is the sure result. CD 339
[ Letter 37, 1901 ] Butter should not be placed on the table; for if it is, some will
use it too freely, and it will obstruct digestion. But for yourself, you should
occasionally use a little butter on cold bread, if this will make the food more
appetising. This would do you far less harm than to confine yourself to preparations of
food that are not palatable. CD 350
Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals, water
diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water, the greater the
injury to the stomach. Ice water or ice lemonade, drunk with meals, will arrest digestion
until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its
work again. Hot drinks are debilitating; and besides, those who indulge in their use
become slaves to the habit. Food should not be washed down; no drink is needed with meals.
Eat slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid there is taken
into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest; for the
liquid must first be absorbed. Do not eat largely of salt; give up bottled pickles; keep
fiery spiced food out of your stomach; eat fruit with your meals, and the irritation which
calls for so much drink will cease to exist. But if anything is needed to quench thirst,
pure water, drunk some little time before of after meal, is all that nature requires.
Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid
possible to cleanse the tissues. CD 420
Because of these results, many suppose that their tea or coffee is doing them great
good. But this is a mistake. Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. Their effect is
produced before there has been time for digestion and assimilation, and what seems to be
strength is only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone, the
unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility.
CD 424
The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wakefulness,
palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils, for they wear away
the life forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork.
Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. When her forces are goaded on by
the use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time; but as the system becomes
debilitated by their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the
energies to the desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to
control, until the will is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural
craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until exhausted nature can
no longer respond. CD 424
Tea and coffee, condiments, confectionery, and pastries are all active causes of
indigestion. Flesh food also is harmful. Its naturally stimulating effect should be a
sufficient argument against its use; and the almost universally diseased condition of
animals makes it doubly objectionable. It tends to irritate the nerves and to excite the
passions, thus giving the balance of power to the lower propensities. ED 203
Parents will have much to answer for in the day of accounts because of their wicked
indulgence of their children. Many gratify every unreasonable wish, because it is easier
to be rid of their importunity in this way than in any other. A child should be so trained
that a refusal would be received in the right spirit, and accepted as final. Children are
generally untaught in regard to the importance of when, how, and what they should eat.
They are permitted to indulge their tastes freely, to eat at all hours, to help themselves
to fruit when it tempts their eyes, and this, with the pie, cake, bread and butter, and
sweetmeats eaten almost constantly, makes them gourmands and dyspeptics. The digestive
organs, like a mill which is continually kept running, become enfeebled, vital force is
called from the brain to aid the stomach in its overwork, and thus the mental powers are
weakened. The unnatural stimulation and wear of the vital forces make them nervous,
impatient of restraint, self-willed, and irritable. They can scarcely be trusted out of
their parents' sight. In many cases the moral powers seem deadened, and it is difficult to
arouse them to a sense of the shame and grievous nature of sin; they slip easily into
habits of prevarication, deceit, and often open lying. HR MAY 01,1877
Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in food. Cakes, sweet puddings, pastries,
jellies, jams, are active causes of indigestion. Especially harmful are the custards and
puddings in which milk, eggs, and sugar are the chief ingredients. The free use of milk
and sugar taken together should be avoided. MH 301
It is impossible for any to enjoy the blessing of sanctification while they are selfish
and gluttonous. These groan under a burden of infirmities because of wrong habits of
eating and drinking, which do violence to the laws of life and health. Many are enfeebling
their digestive organs by indulging perverted appetite. The power of the human
constitution to resist the abuses put upon it is wonderful; but persistent wrong habits in
excessive eating and drinking will enfeeble every function of the body. Let these feeble
ones consider what they might have been, had they lived temperately, and promoted health
instead of abusing it. In the gratification of perverted appetite and passion, even
professed Christians cripple nature in her work, and lessen physical, mental, and moral
power. Some who are doing this, claim to be sanctified to God; but such a claim is without
foundation. RH JAN.25,1881
Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals water
diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water, the greater the
injury to the stomach. Ice water or iced lemonade, drank with meals, will arrest digestion
until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its
work again. Hot drinks are debilitating; and besides, those who indulge in their use
become slaves to the habit. Food should not be washed down; no drink is needed with meals.
Eat slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid there is taken
into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest; for the
liquid must first be absorbed. Do not eat largely of salt, give up bottled pickles, keep
fiery, spiced food out of your stomach, eat fruit with your meals, and the irritation that
calls for so much drink will cease to exist. But if anything is needed to quench thirst,
pure water drank some little time before or after the meal is all that nature requires.
Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid
possible to cleanse the tissues. RH JUL.29,1884
Men and women, by indulging the appetite in eating rich and highly seasoned foods,
especially flesh-meats, with rich gravies, and by using stimulating drinks, as tea and
coffee, create unnatural appetites. The system becomes fevered, the organs of digestion
are injured, the mental faculties are beclouded, while the baser passions are excited, and
predominate over the nobler faculties. The appetite becomes more unnatural, and more
difficult of restraint. The circulation of the blood is not equalised, and the blood
becomes impure. The whole system is deranged, and the demands of appetite become more
unreasonable, craving exciting, hurtful things, until it is thoroughly depraved. RH
JUN.27,1899
Hot biscuit raised with soda or baking powder should never appear upon our tables. Such
compounds are unfit to enter the stomach. Hot raised bread of any kind is difficult of
digestion. Graham gems which are both wholesome and palatable may be made from the
unbolted flour, mixed with pure cold water and milk. But it is difficult to teach our
people simplicity. When we recommend graham gems, our friends say, "Oh, yes, we know
how to make them." We are much disappointed when they appear, raised with baking
powder or with sour milk and soda. These give no evidence of reform. The unbolted flour,
mixed with pure soft water and milk, makes the best gems we ever tasted. If the water is
hard, use more sweet milk, or add an egg to the batter. Gems should be thoroughly baked in
a well-heated oven, with a steady fire. RH MAY 08,1883
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