Leena Watts
A biblical diet is a way of eating based on the foods mentioned in the Bible and the dietary laws within it. The Bible contains two chapters that directly address food choices, outlining which animals, birds, fish, and insects are suitable for consumption. Some interpret this as a vegan diet, as Adam and Eve were plant-based in the Garden of Eden, while others note that God also gave humans meat to eat. Biblical diets focus on whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, dairy, eggs, and meat, while avoiding modern food additives and processed sugars. Proponents of the biblical diet claim it promotes spiritual well-being and physical health, with some reporting weight loss and improved nutrition.
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What You'll Learn
Clean and unclean meats
A Biblical diet is filled with healing foods that promote a well-rounded diet and several health benefits. The Bible makes a distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals, with certain meats being designated as "clean" and suitable for consumption, while others are labelled "unclean" and deemed unfit for human consumption. This distinction is based on various factors, including the eating habits of the animals and their physical characteristics.
Clean meats, according to the Bible, include those that come from cud-chewing animals with split hooves. This category specifically includes cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and gazelle (Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:4-6). Salt and freshwater fish with fins and scales are also considered clean and can be consumed (Leviticus 11:9-12).
On the other hand, the Bible identifies several animals as sources of unclean meat, which are not suitable for human consumption. These include camels, rabbits, pigs, and certain "creeping things" like moles, mice, and lizards (Leviticus 11:4-8, 29-31). Additionally, four-footed animals with paws, such as cats, dogs, bears, lions, and tigers, are also classified as unclean (Leviticus 11:27). A common factor among many of these unclean animals is their diet, as they routinely eat flesh that would be harmful or even fatal to humans (Leviticus 20).
The distinction between clean and unclean meats in the Biblical diet is not just about nutritional value but is rooted in religious and spiritual beliefs. Jordan Rubin, the author of "The Maker's Diet," advocates for following these dietary rules from the Old Testament and consuming only clean foods. He experienced significant health improvements and claims that a Biblical diet provides a roadmap for achieving and maintaining total wellness.
It is important to note that the Biblical diet encourages the consumption of unprocessed and natural whole foods. This means avoiding preservatives, processed foods, and products with high levels of contact with hormones, fertilizers, and pesticides.
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Vegetables and water
A biblical diet is centred around the idea of eating foods as they were in Bible times. This means eating foods in their most unprocessed state and avoiding modern food additives and processes.
Vegetables and Legumes
Vegetables and legumes are mentioned in the Bible and were a source of nutrients, fiber, and protein for the people of the Bible. Daniel and his friends are described as observing a diet of only vegetables (Daniel 1:12). In addition, Jesus is referred to as the "Bread of Life", a symbol of God's life-sustaining provision.
The Bible also mentions herbs, roots, and green, leafy vegetables. These can be eaten raw, although some may need to be cooked. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and radish are rich in glucosinolates and can help prevent cancer.
Water
Water is mentioned in the Bible, notably when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding reception (John 2:1-11). The Bible also recommends drinking wine in moderation for its health benefits (1 Timothy 5:23, Ephesians 5:8).
Drinking lots of high-quality water is recommended in a biblical diet, along with getting exercise and spending time outside in the sunshine.
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Whole foods
Fruits that are native and in season are recommended, as they are fresher and better for health. The Bible also mentions specific fruits, such as pomegranates, grapes, and olives, which were commonly consumed. These fruits, along with nuts, are considered today's nutritious "superfoods," offering various health benefits.
Vegetables play a significant role in the biblical diet, with a focus on raw or uncooked vegetables. The Bible highlights the importance of green, leafy vegetables, cruciferous veggies (such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and radish), and legumes, which are packed with nutrients, fiber, and protein.
Additionally, the Bible mentions grains as a primary staple, with bread holding symbolic significance in biblical times. Healthy grains are naturally easy to preserve and provide essential nutrients.
Overall, the biblical diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, encouraging individuals to consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, with a preference for regional and seasonal produce.
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Dairy and eggs
A biblical diet is filled with healing foods that promote a well-rounded diet and offer many health benefits. Dairy products and eggs were important foods in the Bible, providing great variety and significant nutrition to the ancient world. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt from grass-fed/pastured animals, often unpasteurized, raw, or fermented like kefir, are a rich source of natural digestive enzymes, beneficial bacteria, vitamins A, K, E, C, and B, and CLA, which is known to lower the risk of certain cancers.
The Bible makes a distinction between clean and unclean animals, with clean meats coming from animals with a cloven hoof and that chew the cud. Dairy products were typically fresh and raw and came from grass-fed cows, sheep, and goats. Goat milk is specifically mentioned as a food of the Bible.
Eggs from pasture-raised hens have 3-6 times more vitamin D, 70% more vitamin B12, 50-200% more folate, 40-60% more vitamin A, 30% less cholesterol, 10-25% less saturated fat, 2-7 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 2-3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene than conventional eggs.
The biblical diet encourages the consumption of raw and unprocessed foods, which are believed to promote weight loss and increase lifespan. Vegetables, legumes, and healthy grains were primary staples in Bible times. Bread is a symbol of God's life-sustaining provision, with Jesus referred to as the "Bread of Life." Seafood was also a staple, but only certain types of fish and seafood were considered edible. According to Leviticus 11:9, edible seafood had to have fins and scales, while shellfish was prohibited.
The mixing of meat and dairy is forbidden according to Jewish law, based on verses in the Book of Exodus and Deuteronomy. This prohibition is believed to be connected to a ban on idolatry in Judaism and specific Canaanite religious practices. However, there has been debate among Jewish scholars about the interpretation and extent of this prohibition.
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Regional and seasonal eating
A Biblical diet is filled with healing foods that promote a well-rounded diet and so many awesome health benefits. It is a diet that is good for our modern health because it utilizes ancient nutrition techniques for preparation and leaves out our modernised food additives and processes that have proven disastrous for health.
The Bible is filled with mentions of foods that were common to all classes in ancient times but are noted as superfoods today. For example, garlic is hailed as "poor man's penicillin" thanks to its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Raw honey, goat milk, pomegranate and biblical healing fats, such as olive oil, are also considered superfoods.
The Bible also mentions dairy such as milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt from grass-fed/pastured animals, and often unpasteurised, raw, or fermented like kefir, which is a rich source of natural digestive enzymes, beneficial bacteria, vitamins A, K, E, C and B, and CLA, which is known to lower the risk of certain cancers.
The Bible also mentions meat, although the meat consumed in Western cultures today is very different from the meat eaten in Biblical times, which included liver, bone broth, and other organ meats that are highly nutritious. Fish is also mentioned in the Bible and is loaded with important nutrients like protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids.
The Bible also mentions vegetables and water as a healthy alternative to the king's delicacies and wine. Vegetables are arguably the most nutrient-dense and safest food group.
When it comes to regional and seasonal eating, it is important to note that not all foods mentioned in the Bible will be accessible or appropriate for everyone today. As one source points out, "we don't all live in the Middle East and so what was native to Biblical people is not necessarily 'the' food list every person is meant to follow". Instead, we should consider our genetic heritage and the fact that our microbiomes—the ecosystems of our gut—are genetically imprinted based on our heritage. For example, Biblical people may have been able to tolerate a lot of grains and wheat bread, whereas now that many food seeds have been modified, hybridized and sprayed with pesticides, some people may struggle to digest them.
Similarly, the kind of animal foods available will depend on the region. People living in coastal areas will have access to more fish, while those in landlocked areas will rely more on animals like deer, goat, bison or cattle.
Therefore, when following a Biblical diet, it is important to eat regionally and seasonally, knowing that God made certain things grow at certain times of the year and in certain places. This means eating the foods that God made available to your region and in the season that He made them available.
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Frequently asked questions
A biblical-based diet is a way of eating that is based on the foods mentioned in the Bible and the dietary laws outlined in the Old Testament. This includes eating "clean" foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, dairy, eggs, and meat, while avoiding "unclean" or prohibited foods.
In the Old Testament, there is a distinction between clean and unclean animals, with certain meats considered "clean" and acceptable for consumption, while others are deemed "unclean" and should be avoided. Clean meats include lamb, fish, and various organ meats such as liver. Unclean meats refer to animals that do not meet kosher standards, such as sick or "downer" cattle.
Adherents of a biblical-based diet believe that it promotes physical and spiritual well-being. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, which can lead to improved nutrition and potential weight loss. Additionally, the exclusion of processed sugars and modern food additives may contribute to better health and a reduced risk of certain diseases.
