Eat, Drink, and Be Merry–Trusting God with Your Nutrition Choices

The messages can be confusing.

Do we consume dairy or don’t we?
Should we eat meat or abstain?
Is it okay if I blend raw greens in my smoothie or am I adding toxins to my body?

The food world is constantly studying and surveying what’s out there and for good reason. We want to do what is best for our bodies and for our planet. However, if we follow everything we read, we will definitely end up feeling like we are violating one “law” or another because there is just too much conflicting information.

Here are just some of the areas where differs occur:

• Coffee. Some people think we shouldn’t drink it, that it leeches valuable nutrients from our bodies and causes instability from the effects of caffeine. Others think we should drink it, that it obtains valuable antioxidants, helps our metabolism, and decreases the chances of certain diseases.
• Meat. Some say meat is bad for you and that God never even really intended for us to eat it because Adam and Eve didn’t eat it in the garden. Others think it is a valuable source of protein and other nutrients and recognize that God gave it as a source of food.
• Dairy. Some only eat dairy if they can buy it raw. Others feel safer buying pasteurized. Others feel they should buy organic, at least.
• Sugar. There are a plethora of choices out there now, and everyone has his opinions about which is/are best. Some avoid sugar like the plague.
• Oils. Take your pick – olive, coconut, butter, canola, soybean… There’s a lot on the market and a lot being said.
• Raw food. Should we even cook our food? Some say “no”. Others say “yes”. Both use the same reasoning – it’s easier to digest and assimilate the nutrients.

Should we combine our foods?
How many meals should we eat?

And the list goes on…

Certainly, it can be confusing when you are trying to make health decisions for your family!

I encourage you with this:

Make decisions, as God leads you,
and eat with thanks, joyfully.

Trust that God is leading you the way you are supposed to be led and let others do the same. Follow your conscience, your health concerns, and specific issues that pertain to you and your family. Then, be thankful, and enjoy your food!

Don’t use your food choices as a religion, beating up others when they don’t eat like you do.

Don’t beat yourself up because you don’t eat like someone else.

Study. Pray. Eat.

Some Scripture verses to consider:

Romans 14:5-6
”Let each be fully convinced in his own mind . . . He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

1 Timothy 4:1,3
”Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith … commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.”

Ecclesiastes 8:15
”So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.”