Biblical Diet Guidelines

Why consider the biblical diet?

Increasingly, there is a desire in our society to find a diet plan that improves the quality of our lives. Millions of us are searching for a diet to satisfy our objectives in pursuit of happiness. We may want to reduce weight or otherwise improve our appearance. We may want to increase our physical stamina and mental acumen. Or, we may just simply want to feel better. Whatever our goals, it makes sense to examine our diet because happiness is directly linked to health, and health is greatly affected by diet. Our diet should give us vitality, a clear mind and improve our appearance.

Many have made a firm choice to eat right, but who is the authority on what is right? Volumes of informative books have been written about nutrition and weight control by experts. However, many of them are conflicting, and the science can be overwhelming. There are so many factors to consider. Few of us have the time or talent to count calories, weigh proportions and decipher the nutritional qualities of every menu item we prepare. We need simple, trustworthy guidelines where the science falls into place naturally. Presented here are simple outlines granted by The Creator through scripture. The biblical diet plan satisfies all our objectives. Years of careless living and abuse to our bodies can be reversed in great measure. Also, vitality, clarity and even our healthy appearance can be restored day by day.

The Original Bible Diet

The best place to start is in the beginning. If we review the first couple chapters of Genesis, we see that each day of creation was a provision for what would be created in succeeding days. On the third day, the variety of vegetation that covers the earth was spoken into existence. The benefits that plants provide to our planet are countless. For example, the roots of vegetation hold together the soil. With the help of sunshine and rain, plants absorb carbon dioxide and supply fresh oxygen for breathing and natural sugars for the birds and bees. The foliage and flora provide us with both calming and exhilarating spectacles of raw beauty. Yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Matthew 6:29. However, a principal reason that God created plant life was to provide a sustainable food supply for man and beast. Although certain meats became permissible to eat after the great flood, it can be truly stated that plants and plant yield are the purest biblical foods.

You May Freely Eat

	And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food. Genesis 1:29
	And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. Genesis 1:30
There are two groups contained within this class:
	every tree yielding seed Examples: apples, avocados, grapefruit, pecans, papaya, cherries, olives, walnuts every plant yielding seed Examples: tomatoes, beans, lentils, wheat, berries, squash, corn, rye, peas,

Generally, this diet consists of fruits, nuts, grains, legumes and the like. These foods are still the most beneficial to us. Everyday, discoveries in science point to these foods as superior to others for human health and well-being. Seldom does one ever hear a negative report on any of these. If we do, it's the report that is questionable and not the foods from this class. Actually, whenever the results of a new study regarding nutrition is released, it's wise to be skeptical and examine the source and funding for the study. Often, there may be tremendous economic or even political pressures for such studies to have a predetermined result.

Take, for example, the changes in the USDA recommendations regarding nutrition over the years. Many of us remember the "four basic food groups" chart developed in 1956. The poster depicting these groups was often prominently displayed in school cafeterias, health classes, clinics etc. The four groups were the meat group, the dairy group, the grain group and the fruits and vegetables group. The image suggested that each group merited equal consideration. This chart was a product of concessions to powerful special interest groups of the time. The meat, dairy and sugar industries were largely instrumental in developing these recommendations. It's obvious to us now. We may not eat freely of all these. Obesity, diabetes, cancer and other diseases are common maladies in our society as a result. The four food groups standard has been replaced by the food pyramid chart. Although not perfect, the pyramid recommendations are a step in the right direction towards the biblical diet plan.

Dietary Restrictions

In the second chapter of Genesis, we see God's health plan for man. He placed Adam in a natural setting with the proper foods, fresh water and responsible work to stimulate his mind and exercise his body. Daily, God walked, talked and communed with the man. These simple principals are the basics of human happiness. God gave Adam access to the tree of life which was in the center of the garden of Eden. He also placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden for a special purpose.

The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. Genesis 2:8-10 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15

Every intelligent creature has always possessed the power of choice. Serving God and making right choices has never been compulsory. God doesn't make robots. On the contrary, by exercising this freedom of choice, our foreheads are broadened and our characters developed. For Adam, obedience to God's law was not a sorrowful duty. It was his natural impulse prompted by reason. These were the days "when the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy" Job 38:7. His dietary boundaries weren't confining at all. However, a firm restriction was given to Adam concerning his diet.

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die". Genesis 2:17

Controlling our diet is one of the great challenges we encounter in life. There are many accounts in scripture where failure to control appetite has brought about ruin. For example, Adam, Esau, Beltashazzar and others have failed in this area with tragic results. Today, those who would be disciplined in diet face tremendous obstacles. The food industry has thrived by producing addictive albeit unhealthy products. Grocery store shelves are filled with delicacies that are a delight to the eyes. Through indulgence, many of us have become subject to our inherited and conditioned unnatural cravings. Thankfully, we can turn things around. Not everyone likes every fruit or vegetable, but there are many varieties of fruits and vegetables available.

Although we eat what we like, it goes beforehand that we like what we eat. We develop tastes for the foods that are familiar. Chinese people like Chinese food because they are accustomed to it. People who live near the Mediterranean Sea love the Mediterranean diet. The same can be said of indigenous diets throughout the world. Humans are highly adaptable creatures. Here is our great advantage when considering dietary reform. We can train our pallets to desire the foods we reasonably choose. This may take some time and effort to accomplish. But with perseverance, making healthy dietary choices will become desirable and natural to us.

The Bible and Herbs

in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2 (see Ezekiel 47:12)

Plants of the field

	Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return." Genesis 3:17-19 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:23-24
Man's diet has been modified to include leafy vegetables and herbs whose seed is not contained inside it's edible yield. Here is the modified diet:
	every tree yielding seed Examples: apples, avocados, grapefruit, pecans, papaya every plant yielding seed Examples: tomatoes, beans, lentils, wheat, berries, squash plants of the field Examples: greens, onions, parsley, cabbage, celery

Now, man would responsible for planting and cultivating his own food. The ground had been cursed on his behalf making his existence more arduous. Also, he would have to contend with thorns and thistles. These changes weren't intended to be a punishment for sin. "The wages of sin is death" Rom. 6:23. This curse was yoked to another man who immediately stepped into Adam's place. God's motive for this sacrifice is expressed in the words of The Redeemer. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have life more abundantly". John 10:10. Rather, instead of a curse, these changes were made for man's preservation. For the first time, mankind was exposed to disease and death. The herbs of the field and other vegetables were added to his diet as supplements for health purposes.

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth. Psalm 104:14

Medicinal Foods and Herbs

Although fruits and vegetables yielding seed are superior to other vegetation, those plants considered to be plants of the field are an invaluable addition to our diet. The benefits of herbs extend beyond nutrition to cleanse the blood and boost the immune system for example. Actually, each variety of herb contributes an unique service to humanity. Everyone should experiment and find those herbs that are useful to them. Many suffer needlessly when natural, helpful remedies are readily available.

Throughout history and throughout the world, herbs have been recognized for their nutritional and medicinal value. Every continent has developed an herbology. In North America, native Indians were advanced in the use of natural remedies. In biblical times, herbs were considered so valuable that they were often used as currency. Obviously, not every plant is suitable for food. Some spices and drinks that we have adopted in our diet are more harmful than good. For example, overuse of black pepper, cinnamon, coffee and some teas can be an irritant to our system. However, many herbs that are not edible may still be beneficial used externally as a poultice. Keep a book of herbs at hand in your home and become familiar with simple, natural remedies. You will be rewarded with a higher quality of life.