The Bible and Diet

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105 KJV

The Bible contains references that advise us on all the fundamental principles for healthy living. Outlined below and discussed are some of these principles.

Genesis 2:16 - God gives man permission to use plants as food. This diet predates the fall of man.

Genesis 9:3 - God adds all living creatures to man's dietary menu. This occurred after the fall of man.

Exodus 16 - The Sabbatical Diet. This can be summarized as "Eat like a King six mornings per week and like a Pauper one morning per week." These principles are extensively discussed in the book, The Sabbatical Diet which includes information on how to maximize the program to achieve perfect body structure, slow aging and reverse and improve the Syndrome X Diseases. (Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis)

Acts 11:1-18 - This passage points out, that all creatures are basically good for food. God told Peter in a dream to consume meat from animals that were previously prohibited by the Levitical Laws as being unacceptable for food. Although the vision was referring to the Gentiles being as spiritually acceptable to God, as the Jews were, it follows that, physically, all food God created is essentially good and can be consumed. If the physical extrapolation of this statement is not true it would mean that God used a very poor example to make a spiritual statement.

Leviticus 11 - Many dietary restrictions were placed in the Levitical Laws to the Jews, which were given to Moses by God. A close examination of these restrictions suggests that the lack of knowledge of food related diseases encountered during that period may have been the reason for these restrictions, hence the term unclean.

Peter's vision seems to contradict the restrictions. Obviously, if a food causes problems, it should be restricted. Certain mushrooms and other plants, with potentially harmful effects are restricted in every society. I believe that these restricted foods may one day be useful, as better scientific understanding is achieved. Most foods restricted under Levitical Laws are safe to use now and hence these restrictions are no longer necessary.

Daniel 1 - Daniel challenged the prince Melzar, servant of Nebuchadnezzar, who was in charge of the captured slaves, that a diet high in pulses or legumes was better for him than one high in meat and wine. High intake of meat and wine or the Diet of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is an early form of Low-Carb Diet. (Alcohol is metabolized in the body similarly to fat). Obviously, Daniel won the challenge. The lesson here is to show the importance of a balanced diet. A low-carb diet is not a balanced diet. Legumes, although simple, provide a balanced intake of all the major micro and macro nutrients i.e. protein, carbohydrates and fat, minerals and vitamins. Balancing our diet is of extreme importance if good health is to be achieved. I do not think that this passage is advocating for persons to be vegetarians.

Numbers 11 - The Bible on numerous occasions has pointed out that greed is a violation of the principle of contentment. Gluttony is greed for food, hence consumption beyond one's satiety limit is considered a violation of physical stewardship and harmful to health. In Numbers 11 a display of greed and gluttony by the Israelites resulted in God inflicting severe punishment and death on the offenders.

It is apparent, from the above discussion, that the Bible is not only a book for spiritual guidance but it also guides us in every aspect of our lives, including health and dietary practices. It is in applying these principles in our everyday lives that we will experience prevention and satisfactory control of diseases.