Meta Given

Background

Given grew up working on her family"s farm in Missouri.

Career

There, little variety in foodstuffs were available, and after studying nutrition as an undergraduate at the University of Missouri and in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Chicago, Given grew interested in devising recipes that maximized the culinary and gustatory value of farm staples but minimized the cost to the consumer. Her best-selling The Modern Family Cookbook was first published in 1942. The Encyclopedia of Modern Cooking was published in two volumes in 1947.

Both were revised and reprinted in succeeding decades and followed during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s by other volumes about food and cooking.

Given taught home economics for many years. She recommended that Americans help themselves each day to ten different categories of foodstuffs to ensure adequate nutrition: 1) milk.

2) meat (or cheese for those who don"t eat meat). 3) green or yellow vegetable.

4) another vegetable.

5) potato (once a week pasta or rice can take the place but increase vegetable). 6) egg; 7) butter; 8) whole grain. 9) citrus fruit or tomato.

And 10) another fruit.

Meta Given died in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, in November 1981.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking Volume I and II Revised Edition ( 1 and 2)

    (This classic two-volume cookbook provides meal planning t...)

  • The Modern Family Cook Book

    (Meta Given's Modern Family Cook Book is a mid-century mod...)

  • Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking (Single Volume edition, 2 volumes in 1 book)

    (A modern cook book, completed in every detail, brings the...)

  • Modern Family Cookbook

    (Vintage cookbook reflecting the differences in cooking in...)

  • Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking (2 VOLUMES 1947 1st ed.) : A Modern Cookbook, Complete in Every Detail. Brings the Latest Developments in Home Economics Into Your Kitchen for a Simpler, Better and Richer Life. (1 & 2)

    (2-volume 1st edition of this classic that helped define t...)

  • Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking: Volumes 1 & 2

    (J.P. Ferguson New Revised Edition 1955 2-volume green har...)

  • Meta Given's Modern encyclopedia of cooking: A modern cook book, complete in every detail, brings the latest developments in home economics into your kitchen for a simpler, better and richer life
  • The Modern Family Cook Book New Revised Edition
  • The Art of Modern Cooking and Better Meals: recipes for every occasion
  • (Vols. I & II) Meta Given's MODERN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COOKING, New Revised Edition: A modern cook book, complete in every detail, brings the latest develpments in home economics into your kitchen for a simpler, better and richer life. (Dedicated to Dr. Evely
  • Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking (2 Volume Set) by Meta H. Given (1959-01-03)