MH page 318

Not all who profess to believe in dietetic reform are really reformers. With many persons the reform consists merely in discarding certain unwholesome foods. They do not understand clearly the principles of health, and their tables, still loaded with harmful dainties, are far from being an example of Christian temperance and moderation.

True dietetic reform involves understanding health principles and avoiding harmful dainties rather than merely discarding a few items. The paragraph discusses ethical and dietary consistency rather than presenting an empirical medical claim.

Another class, in their desire to set a right example, go to the opposite extreme. Some are unable to obtain the most desirable foods, and, instead of using such things as would best supply the lack, they adopt an impoverished diet. Their food does not supply the elements needed to make good blood. Their health suffers, their usefulness is impaired, and their example tells against, rather than in favor of, reform in diet.

Extremely impoverished diets fail to supply necessary elements for blood formation and lead to impaired health and usefulness. It contains a nutritional claim about impoverished diets failing to provide elements for blood and overall health.

Others think that since health requires a simple diet, there need be little care in the selection or the preparation of food. Some restrict themselves to a very meager diet, not having sufficient variety to supply the needs of the system, and they suffer in consequence.

A meager diet lacking sufficient variety fails to meet the systemic needs of the body, resulting in suffering. It asserts an empirical link between meager, non-varied diets and systemic suffering.

Those who have but a partial understanding of the principles of reform are often the most rigid, not only in carrying out their views themselves, but in urging them on their families and their neighbors. The effect of their mistaken reforms, as seen in their own ill-health, and their efforts to force their views upon others, give many a false idea of dietetic reform, and lead them to reject it altogether.

Partial understandings of reform often lead to rigid enforcement on others, creating a false and counterproductive impression of dietetic reform. The text focuses on behavioral rigidity and social perceptions of dietetic reform rather than empirical testing.