improved appearance and general
increase of energy for a time, will be profoundly impressed with the
idea that at last they have found a perfect diet. On account of their
enthusiasm they will often continue such a strict dietetic regimen until
it is productive of seriously harmful results. It should be kept in
mind that any diet which is really adequate for all requirements will
maintain your normal weight and your energy. In other words, you should
feel well and look well, if your diet is as it should be. This is an
invariable test, and can be depended upon absolutely.

Probably the next diet that can be recommended in many cases would be a
meatless or vegetarian diet. There is absolutely no question as to the
superiority of this plan over a regimen that includes meat, provided
again that you can be fully nourished and that you feel energetic
and capable. A vegetarian diet will usually make a better quality of
tissue; you will have more endurance, and there is but little doubt
that a healthy vegetarian will outlive a meat-eater, since his vital
organs remain in a healthier condition for a longer period than
those of one accustomed to a free use of meat.

We must admit, however, that many cannot maintain their weight and keep
their full allowance of energy on a vegetarian diet. Where you find a
vegetarian whose skin is white, whose lips are colorless, who is thin
and seemingly in need of nourishment, you can rest assured that the
diet is not agreeing with him. Such persons in virtually every instance
need animal food of some sort. It is therefore wise, if you are
searching for a diet that is capable of developing in you the greatest
degree of mental and physical efficiency, to make a careful study of
your individual condition and requirements. After you have acquired
sufficient knowledge on the subject it might even be well to do some
experimenting, and in that way determine what particular diet is best
suited to your needs.

It is extremely difficult, however, for one to adopt a regimen which is
radically different from that of those with whom he associates. You may
have sufficient enthusiasm for a time to subsist on a nut-and-fruit diet
or on an uncooked diet, but when your own family and friends are using
other foods at all times the temptation to vary your own diet is
sometimes too strong to resist, consequently you will be inclined
gradually to resume the general regimen of tho