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Then God said,
I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. And it was so. (Genesis 1: 29-30).
We all strive to be healthy and to live a fulfilled, happy and abundant life. To do so, our bodies need both spiritual and physical food. God provided physical food for us from the very beginning, as he said in Genesis 1: 29-30. God created us uniquely in His own image to love and glorify Him. “ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
How do we glorify God in our eating? It has been said, and we know it is true, that we must “Eat to live” and that “You are what you eat” Here are some perspectives on how and what to eat.
A balanced diet plays a very important role in achieving health. We should have food from all the food groups which include fruits, vegetables, grains, provisions, peas, beans, oils, and food from animals. Variety, adequacy, a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat (avoiding trans fats), and portion control are essential features of a healthful diet. Due to our uniquenesses, the amount of food we need is dependent on our age, gender, activity, size, and health status.
Most of our foods should be plant-based, with much smaller amounts from animals. We should know what is appropriate for us and get professional advice if we are under or overweight or have any health challenges.
We should also be mindful in our eating and stop when full. Overeating can lead to obesity which can cause serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, cancer, and kidney disease.
We should also know our values for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol as these are indicative of our health status.
Food should be enjoyed, and shared, it should not be rushed: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46 - 47).
Our body and mind should be prepared for and be receptive to food: “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
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