p. 88 | Ripe Fruit

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1874

Ripe Fruit.

THE use of ripe fruit in bowel difficulties is quite important. When the bowels do not act freely, it is often sufficient to give, not a dose of rhubarb, which the boy hates, but a saucer of ripe berries or a ripe apple before breakfast, which he does like.

Some child being asked “what was wrong,” answered, “Everything I want to do.” And it does sometimes seem as if parents were occupied much more in denying than in gratifying their children’s appetites. This is neither necessary nor fair. They get as tired of bread and milk as you would. And what comes of it? Simply, that, as soon as they have an opportunity, they indulge their love for fruits and sweets to excess. Then you think that it is the fruit and the sweets that do the harm, whereas, it is only the excess. Let your children eat what you do, and as much as they want, and, as you mean to eat only healthy food, they will be quite safe.