'Food Values' Summary

'Food Values' by Dr. Albert Philip Sy, published during World War I, provides a guide to basic nutrition and food choices. It begins with an explanation of essential nutrients, emphasizing the need for a balanced diet. The primary focus is on providing nutritional information for various foods, including their calorie content, carbohydrate, fat, and protein makeup, as well as water and ash content. This data was crucial in times of war when food availability was limited. The pamphlet reflects the understanding of nutrition at the time, which was still developing. Despite its limitations in terms of current nutritional knowledge, 'Food Values' is a valuable historical document that showcases the evolving understanding of nutrition during the early 20th century. It serves as a reminder of the importance of informed food choices and the ongoing pursuit of better understanding the relationship between food and health.