BIBLE FOOD NUTRITION 101 Q&A
Q. What is Bible food nutrition101?
A. It is a basic form of informing readers of the roles that food plays in the well-being of an individual from biblical perspective.
Q. How does the food we eat have anything to do with the bible, spirituality or God?
A. We were created by God, and in His image, (John 1:3, Genesis 2:7). Our bodies belong to God and our bodies are meant to house the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit wants to use our bodies to do godly work in physical world, to touch the lives of others around us (Philippians 2:13), and God gets the pleasure and the glory to see His creation do good things which He has created us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Q. What kinds of food does the bible allow us to eat, or that the bible says that are good for our well-being?
A. For a start, as believers, we are no longer under the law concerning what we can eat, or what we cannot eat. If your faith allows you to eat all foods, there’s no condemnation for that in the bible (Romans 14:2). However, there are some foods which have been proven scientifically not to be good for our body; may be because of body genetic make-up, which is why some people are intolerant of some foods. We need to realize that God has released the scientific and medical knowledge even in the area of knowing how foods interact with our bodies as a way to help us live healthy in our bodies.
Q. Were there foods in the bible that were eaten by people in biblical times that we still have today?
A. Yes. Below is a table showing some of the foods in bible times and those who ate them or shared them with others.
| FOOD GROUPS |
BIBLE REFERENCE |
PERSON (S) ASSOCIATED |
| Herbs, fruits |
Genesis 1:29, 3:2 |
Adam and Eve |
| Birds, fish, animals, vegetables |
Genesis 9:3, Exodus 16:13, Daniel 1:12. |
Noah, the Israelites, Daniel and his friends. |
| Bread, fish, honeycomb |
Genesis 14:18, Luke 24:41-42 |
Melchizedek, Jesus, The Israelites |
| Cakes, butter and milk |
Genesis 18:6-8 |
Abraham |
| Unleavened bread |
Genesis 19:3, Exodus 13:6, 2 Chronicles 30:13. |
Lot, The Israelites |
| Cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. |
Numbers 11:15 |
The Israelites |
| Lamb, bull, ram, (roasted/boiled) |
Exodus 12:8, 1 Samuel 2:13-15 |
The Israelites |
| Wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt. |
Ezekiel 4:9, Ruth 1:22 |
Ezekiel, Ruth |
| Honey, wild honey, locusts |
Judges 14:9, Mark 1:6 |
Samson, John the Baptist |
| Stew (soup), flour, salt. |
2 Kings 4:40-41, 2 Kings 2:20-21. |
Elisha and the sons of the prophets, Elisha and the people of Jericho. |
| Cake baked on coals, water. |
1 Kings 19:6 |
Elijah |
| Grapes, bread |
Genesis 40:11, Genesis 41:55 |
The Egyptians |
| Pistachio nuts, almonds |
Genesis 43:11 |
Jacob and his household |
| Sheep, roasted grain, raisins, cakes of figs |
1 Samuel 25:18 |
David and his men |
| Beans, cheese |
2 Samuel 17:28-29 |
David and his men |
| Goat |
Judges 13:15 |
Manoah and his family |
| Pomegranates |
Exodus 28:33-34, 1 Kings 7:13-22. |
The Israelites in the wilderness, during Solomons reign. |
Contemporary food groups in the 21st century
Q. Have there been any significant changes in the food groups that the ancient people ate and what we eat now?
A. Yes. While the basic food groups remain, the advancement of science and technology have done so much to change the form of food we now eat from the natural form in which foods were eaten in ancient times, to a more refined and processed form of food that we have in the 21st century. Also, easy travel and globalization of trade have made border crossings of food products from one end of the world to the other end of the world, easier; thus we now have all kinds of international foods.
| Fruits |
Vegetables |
Grains |
Proteins |
Dairy |
| The fruit food group encompasses a wide range of fresh fruits and fruit products, including dried, frozen and canned fruit, and 100 percent fruit juice. Berries and melons, which tend to be particularly nutrient-dense, are highlighted as important subgroups of the fruit group. |
The vegetable food group includes fresh vegetables and vegetable products, including frozen, canned and dried vegetables, as well as 100% vegetable juice. Also similar foods, including dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, starchy vegetables, other vegetables and beans and peas. |
The grain food group is comprised of two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains and their products, including brown rice, quinoa, oats, muesli and whole-wheat pasta, tend to be significantly higher in fiber and protein than refined grain products, such as crackers, corn flakes, grits and traditional pasta. |
Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, soy products and beans and peas make up the protein food group. Although they’re included in the vegetable group for their fiber content and nutrient profile, beans and peas are also excellent sources of vegetarian protein |
The dairy food group is mostly comprised of dairy products that are high in calcium. All types of yogurt, most cheeses and all liquid milk products are part of the dairy group, as are calcium-rich milk-based desserts such as ice cream and pudding. |
Q. Can we sin by the kinds of food we eat?
A. Yes. The bible is very clear that God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple 1 Corinthians 3:17.
Q. In what ways can we sin against God through the food we eat?
A. Let’s be clear about food, there’s no food that the bible disallows believers to eat in the New Testament. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day Colossians 2:16.
However, we can sin against God by:
- Deliberately eating things that have been established not to be good for our health, may be through doctors report, or food intolerance. I’m allowed to do [eat] anything, but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do [eat] anything, but I won’t allow anything [food] to gain control over my life 1 Corinthians 6:12.
- We can also sin against God through gluttony eating much more than the body can handle. The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty Proverbs 23:21, Eat only what you need; otherwise, you will get sick and vomit Proverbs 25:16. Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door (Ezekiel 16:49).
Q. Do we have foods in the 21st century, comparable to biblical foods?
A. Yes.
Comparing foods eaten in ancient time and the 21st century.
| Food Groups |
Biblical Foods |
Contemporary Foods |
| Fruits |
Raisins, Grapes, pomegranate |
Raisins, grapes, apples, oranges, cranberries, pomegranate, grapefruit, oranges, peaches and so much more. |
| Vegetables |
Garlic, Onions, cucumbers, leeks, beans. |
Garlic, onions, cucumbers, leeks, beans, beets, red peppers, radishes, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, squash and so much more |
| Grains |
Spelt, wheat, barley, millet |
Spelt, wheat, barley, millet, amaranth, brown rice, oats, grano, flaxseed, quinoa, teff, sorghum and so much more. |
| Proteins |
Fish, sheep, lamb, ram, goat, birds |
Poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are considered part of the Protein Foods Group. Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group, and much more foods. |
| Dairy |
Cheese, milk |
- All liquid milk,
- Milk-based desserts:
- Hard natural cheeses:
- Soft cheeses
- Processed cheeses:
- All Yogurt
|
Sources:
Fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
Nourishinteractive.com
http://www.jewishgiftplace.com/Symbolism-Of-Pomegranate.html
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/protein-foods#sthash.pvSmgeuO.dpuf
http://www.foodpyramid.com/myplate/dairy-food-group/
In conclusion, here are God’s wills for our body:
- That you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers (3 John :2)
- That your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless until the return of Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
- Take care of your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Physical training of the body also has some values to the body (1 Timothy 4:8).
God needs your human body to do His works on the earth to bless others and your generation. What you eat concerns God. Eat right, so you can travel light.
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