A Biblical Diet

Adam and Eve ate from the first garden and it was full of nuts and fruits. There was probably a large, varied, and tasty collection of fruits and nuts.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, there was no death on earth, so the animals were going to live forever. In the original plan, Adam and Eve would never even think of eating animal flesh, and we could consider them vegetarians. Logically, then, a vegetarian diet is the most Biblical and healthy diet modern man can enjoy. Modern research demonstrates that this is indeed true.

Modern Research

Modern research convincingly demonstrates that a vegetarian diet is healthier than other diets and the most healthy diet available to modern man. A study conducted by Loma Linda University compared participants in the United States who have similar demographics and lifestyles. One group was vegetarian and the other were meat eaters. The vegetarians lived longer, healthier lives, and the meat eaters had more health problems, medical conditions, and disease. As a matter of fact, the vegetarians enjoyed eight to ten years of additional, healthier life. The vegetarians ate more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts. They consumed less refined grain products, sugar, and prepared foods. Other studies conducted in Australia, Europe, and South America confirm these findings.

The Post Flood Diet

The Great Flood of Noah's day changed man's diet for the worse. The Flood destroyed so much vegetation that people were allowed to eat the meat of animals, People ate meat to survive even though this would lead to future health problems.

Clean and Unclean Meats

Certain meats are considered clean and fit for human consumption while other meats are considered unclean and unfit for human consumption. This idea is explained in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Many of the unclean animals such as rats, snakes, and vultures are an obvious threat to our health, and not meant for human consumption.

Food in the New Testament

Now that the world's vegetation has been restored, a vegetarian diet is once again the healthiest diet available and in compliance with the Bible. It is still morally acceptable to eat the clean meats, but one will usually suffer the health consequences of this diet and not be as healthy as a vegetarian. Preparing fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the most simple and natural process as possible is the basis for the healthiest possible diet.

A Balanced Diet

As in any area of life, temperance is important. We need to eat a wide variety of healthy food, enough to satisfy all our nutritional needs, while not overeating and straining our systems.

Nutritionists often display a food pyramid that show the best foods and the amounts we should eat. At the base of the pyramid are the whole grains; brown rice, bread, and pasta. These should be eaten in the largest quantities, about six to eleven servings per day. The next level includes fruits and vegetables and the recommendation is about five to nine servings per day. Next are dairy products and eggs, about two or three servings a day. These can be important for vegetarians so that they can get enough vitamin B12. Total vegetarians who do not eat any animal products should take vitamin B12 supplements. The next group includes legumes, nuts, and meat alternatives and should be eaten in lesser amounts. Finally, at the top of the pyramid which means we should eat them in the smallest quantities are fats, oils, sweets, and iodized salts.

Further Study

Staying healthy and eating a healthy diet is a life long pursuit. This article should wet our appetites for healthy living. We will list several sources that can plug you into the health network and help you in your quest for a healthy diet and lifestyle.

This article is based on a chapter on nutrition in a very helpful book entitled Health and Healing . You may want to request your own copy from Pacific Press Publishing.

Sources: 1. Health Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Health and Healing, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 N. Kings Road, Nampa, ID 83687-3193.

2. www.absg.adventist.org.

3. www.AdventistHealthCare.com

4. www.pacificpress.com