Food For Thought

• 
  

  My thinking has been spurred by several comments recently heard in regards to diets.
  
  I have personally subjected my body to a variety of diets over the years, each one promising better health or certain weight loss. My experience tells me that most diets lack something, if not in nutrition, at least in principle. Some diets take an unbalanced "all or nothing" approach. Others require foods that are either unavailable or unaffordable. It seems to me that something is amiss if our diet requires purchasing specially prepared, packaged, pre-measured meals. Most diets turn our focus almost continually upon food.
  
  While I believe we should "eat to live" rather than "live to eat", I am formulating some guiding principles for myself as follows:
  
  1. Use foods that are readily available and affordable, growing what is feasible. "If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. "1 Timothy 6:8
  "...and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. "Hebrews 13:5
  
  2. Learn what foods are healthful and nourishing, and how to prepare them in such a way that they retain as much of the nutritional benefits as possible. Avoid foods that compromise health and energy. "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19
  
  3. Eat only enough to satisfy and sustain. "Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. "Philippians 4:5
  "And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite. " Proverbs 23:2
  
  
  Other factors to take into consideration are age, activity level, and peculiar health needs. (such as allergies or diabetes), It is clear that no one marketed diet plan could possibly work for everyone. So I conclude that all of these factors must be melded together with the glue of common sense. I have found a few resource books helpful also, especially in addressing health challenges.
  
  1. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, James & Phyllis Balch
  2. Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon
  3. Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal, Readers Digest
  
  

  Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11