“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.
“In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. “Behold,’ He said, ‘I have given you every herb yielding seed, … and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.” Gen. 1:29. Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also the herb of the field.
“Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet.
“But not all foods wholesome in themselves are equally suited to our needs under all circumstances. Care should be taken in the selection of food. Our diet should be suited to the season, to the climate in which we live, and to the occupation we follow.”–The Ministry of Healing, pp. 295-297.
” … Some persons cannot subsist upon the same food upon which others can do well, even though it be prepared in the same manner.” –2T 254:1.
“There is a wide difference in constitutions and temperaments, and the demands of the system differ greatly in different persons. What would be food for one, might be poison for another; so precise rules cannot be laid down to fit every case. I cannot eat beans, for they are poison to me; but for me to say that for this reason no one must eat them would be simply ridiculous. I cannot eat a spoonful of milk gravy, or ‘milk toast, without suffering in consequence; but other members of my family can eat these things, and realize no such effect; therefore I take that which suits my stomach best, and they do the same. We have no words, no contentions; all moves along harmoniously in my large family, for I do not attempt to dictate what they shall or shall not eat.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 494: 1.
“We have been going back to Egypt rather than on to Canaan. Shall we not reverse the order of things?….’Are we willing to be true health reformers?’
“It is essential that continuous sameness in diet be avoided. The appetite will be much better if changes in the food are made. Be uniform. Do not have several kinds of food on the table at one meal, and no variety the next.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 408:2,3.
“If we plan wisely,” asserts Inspiration, “that which is most conducive to health can be secured in almost every land. The various preparations of rice, wheat, corn, and oats are sent abroad everywhere, also beans, peas, and lentils. These, with native or imported fruits, and the variety of vegetables that grow in each locality, give an opportunity to select a dietary that is complete without the use of flesh-meats.” — Ministry of Healing, p. 299.
“Why is it, though, that some strict vegetarians rather than improving their health and building up resistance against disease, often suffer from malnutrition and become even more susceptible to various physical ailments than before they gave up flesh foods? — Because in most cases flesh food is discarded without supplementing the diet with a satisfactory substitute. Many have the mistaken idea that by merely increasing their intake of protein foods — nuts, legumes, and grains, they adequately replace the deficiency. By so doing they do not at all replace the deficiency, but instead unbalance the nutrients. Ever remember that flesh is composed of about 80% grass and 20% grain. Biological experiments unmistakably demonstrate that animals cannot thrive on whole grain proteins divorced from the associated leafy plants. The health seeker must bear in mind that often the immediate result of an unbalanced diet is constipation, followed by rheumatism or arthritis, if not by other even more dreadful and destructive diseases. Balance your diet, and Nature will take care of the rest.” The Entering Edge p.27-28
“The truth that the substances in superior quality flesh are derived from grain and grass, approximately 20% of the former and 80% of the latter plainly demonstrates that flesh is adequately substituted only by the proportionate use of both grain and leafy plants. Be not misled. Your body needs both grain and vegetable proteins in exactly these proportions. Indeed, they are all essential, and man’s constitution demands that for health and longevity there be neither a missing link nor a weak one in the chain of nutriments.” Id p.28
“There is also another important lesson in the fact that just as the All-wise Creator did not bless any particular locality with all the riches of creation, but scattered and scientifically proportioned them throughout the earth. He has likewise carefully distributed the essential body-building and up keeping materials throughout the food kingdom, has not placed them all in one plant.” Id p.29
“To maintain perfect health, therefore, be sure to make use of all the thirteen types of foods grouped below, and give them the proper proportions in your diet. Approximately 80% of your diet should consist of the first eight classes of foods (Group 1), and 20% of the second three classes of foods (Group 2). The last two classes of foods (Group 3) are seasonings for all foods.” Id p.29
GROUP 1
EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE DIET
80% of one’s diet must consist of the foods in this group:
1st — Leaves (watercress, beet tops, spinach lettuce, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, etc.)
2nd — Stalks (Celery, rhubarb, asparagus, etc.)
3rd — Herbal Fruits (pineapple, okra, eggplant, peppers, string beans, tomatoes, etc.)
4th — Tubers (carrots, potatoes, radishes, onions, yams, beets, turnips, etc.)
5th — Cucurbits (squash, melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, etc.)
6th — Tree Fruits (peaches, dates, bananas oranges, pomegranates, olives, avocados etc.)
7th — Vine Fruits (berries, grapes, etc.)
8th — Dairy Products
GROUP 2
TWENTY PER CENT OF THE DIET
Only about 20% of one’s diet should be made up of the foods in this group:
1st — Grains (oats, rice, corn, rye, wheat, barley, etc.)
2nd — Legumes (beans, lentils, peas, etc.)
3rd — Nuts (pecans, coconuts, almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, etc.)
GROUP 3
SEASONING FOR ALL FOODS
All foods may be seasoned with the foods of this group:
1st — Oils (olive oil, soy bean oil, sesame oil, nut oils, cottonseed oil, etc.)
2nd — Sweets (honey, raw sugar, maple sugar, sorghum, etc.)
The Entering Wedge p.29
“Intemperate eating is often the cause of sickness, and what nature most needs is to be relieved of the undue burden that has been placed upon her. In many cases of sickness, the very best remedy is for the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the overworked organs of digestion may have an opportunity to rest. A fruit diet for a few days has often brought great relief to brain workers. Many times a short period of entire abstinence from food, followed by simple, moderate eating, has led to recovery through nature’s own recuperative effort. An abstemious diet for a month or two would convince many sufferers that the path of self-denial is the path to health.”–The Ministry of Healing, p. 235:2.
“If we would preserve the best health, we should avoid eating vegetables and fruit at the same meal. If the stomach is feeble, there will be distress, the brain will be confused, and unable to put forth mental effort. Have fruit at one meal and vegetables at the next.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 395:0.
“All the elements of nutrition are contained in the fruits, vegetables, and, grains…. The needs of the system can be better supplied, and more vigorous health can be enjoyed, without it’s [animal food] use. The grains, with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, contain all the nutritive properties necessary to make good blood.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 395, 396.
“Our bodies are built up from the food we eat. There is a constant breaking down of the tissues of the body; every movement of every organ involves waste, and this waste is repaired from our food. Each organ of the body requires its share of nutrition. The brain must be supplied with its portion; the bones, muscles, and nerves demand theirs. It is a wonderful process that transforms the food into blood and uses this blood to build up the varied parts of the body; but this process is going on continually, supplying with life and strength each nerve, muscle, and tissue.”-Child Guidance, p. 378:3.
“Abstemiousness in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigor; it also aids in the control of the passions.”–The Ministry of Healing. p. 308:2.
“Our physical health is maintained by that which we eat; if our appetites are not under the control of a sanctified mind, if we are not temperate in all our eating and drinking, we shall not be in a state of mental and physical soundness to study the word with a purpose to learn what saith the Scripture–what shall I do to inherit eternal life?… The diet has much to do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.“–Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 52:2.
“It cannot be too often repeated, that whatever is taken into the stomach affects not only the body, but ultimately the mind as well…. It is difficult, and often well-nigh impossible, for one who is intemperate in diet to exercise patience and self-control.“-Id p. 243:3.
“Irregularity in eating and drinking, and improper dressing, deprave the mind and corrupt the heart, and bring the· noble attributes of the soul in slavery to the animal passions.
“Let none who profess godliness regard with indifference the health of the body, and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin, and will not affect their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between the physical and moral nature…. Wrong habits of eating and drinking lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite strengthens the animal propensities, giving them the ascendancy over the mental and spiritual powers.
“‘Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul is the language of the apostle Peter. Many regard this warning as applicable only to the licentious; but it has a broader meaning. It guards against every injurious gratification of appetite or passion. It is a most forcible warning against the use of such stimulants and narcotics as tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and morphine.“–Id, pp. 62, 63.
“Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful effect on soul and body?
“Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. “–Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 380, 381.
“You recall that by craving flesh food they made the situation unbearable for Moses. So, to their great surprise quail filled the camp, and the multitude carried them into their tents. But at what a cost! Thousands of them died even while the flesh was yet between their teeth. Then they understood that the manna was the better food. It was a great lesson, but an expensive one. What about us [who claim to be] vegetarians?”—lTG 7:9:1.
