MR No. 1522—Nourishing, Appetizing Food to Be Served at Our Sanitariums

(Written January 18, 1904, from “Elmshaven,” Sanitarium, California, to the Doctors Kress. Most of this letter appears in Counsels on Diet and Foods.)

I have received instructions in regard to the use of flesh meat in our sanitariums. Flesh meat should be excluded from the diet, and its place should be supplied by wholesome, palatable food, prepared in such a way as to be appetizing.21MR 103.1

Those who come to our sanitariums for treatment should be provided with a liberal supply of well-cooked food. The food placed before them must necessarily be more varied in kind than would be necessary in a home family. Let the diet be such that a good impression will be made on the guests. This is a matter of great importance. The patronage of a sanitarium will be larger if a liberal supply of appetizing food is provided.21MR 103.2

Again and again I have left the tables of our sanitarium hungry and unsatisfied. I have talked with those in charge of the institutions, and have told them that their diet needed to be more liberal and the food more appetizing. I told them to put their ingenuity to work to make the necessary change in the best way. I told them to remember that what would perhaps suit the taste of health reformers would not answer at all for those who have always eaten luxuries, as they are termed. Much may be learned from the meals prepared and served in a successfully conducted hygienic restaurant.21MR 103.3

Brother and Sister Kress, unless you give much attention to this matter, your patronage will decrease instead of increasing. There is danger of going to extremes in diet reform.21MR 103.4

When a letter came to me from Cooranbong, saying that Dr. Kress was dying, I was that night instructed that he must have a change of diet. A raw egg, taken two or three times a day, would give the nourishment that he greatly needed.21MR 103.5

I feared that Dr. Kress would not live till my prescription reached him, but the Lord graciously spared his life.21MR 103.6

Last night I was in my sleep talking with Dr. Kress. I said to him, You must still exercise care in regard to extremes in diet. You must not go to extremes either in your own case or in regard to the food provided for the helpers and the patients at the sanitarium. The patients pay a good price for their board, and they should have liberal fare. Some may come to the sanitarium in a condition demanding stern denial of appetite and the simplest fare, but as their health improves, they should be liberally supplied with nourishing food.21MR 103.7

You may be surprised at my writing this, but last night I was instructed that a change in the diet would make a great difference in your patronage. A more liberal diet is needed.21MR 104.1

Will you not give heed to this instruction? It will be good for you as well as for the patients.21MR 104.2

I will not write more on this subject now. I have a deep interest in the family at the Wahroonga Sanitarium. I have their special good in view, and this is why I have written as I have. I woke at half past eleven, and rose at half past one to write this letter.—Letter 37, 1904.21MR 104.3

Ellen G. White Estate

Silver Spring, Maryland,

September 13, 1990.

Entire Letter.