The Best Diet

God designed the human body to operate most efficiently on a diet of plant foods: fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. The diet God gave to Adam and Eve is the best diet for us today.

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a Cornell University scientist, has worked with the National Academy of Sciences in a study of the relationship between nutrition and cancer. Their research revealed that replacing animal products with fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain products is the best way to guard against cancer. They found that regardless of the number of cell mutations caused by environmental factors, those who have a low-protein, low-fat diet have significantly lower cancer rates. In fact, a natural, whole-food diet has even been shown to reverse the growth of cancer cells that have already formed malignant tumors. Whether you are concerned with cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis or hypertension, the only diet that can prevent or reverse the problem is the diet God gave to man at his creation. According to data supplied by the National Cancer Institute, countries with the most bowel cancer deaths and the most heart disease deaths are the countries with the highest per capita meat consumption. Strokes and heart attacks occur when important arteries become clogged, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Cholesterol, the primary factor in atherosclerosis, is found only in animal products. Plants do not produce it. Before western culture and eating habits were introduced to the Japanese, atherosclerosis was so unheard of in Japan that Japanese medical schools had to import plaque-filled coronary arteries from the United States to demonstrate to their medical students the disease that was causing half of all deaths in America.

Antonio Gotto, M.D., president of the American Heart Association, stated in a U.S. Senate hearing that “In societies where the blood cholesterol is under 160 mg% there is virtually no coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis.” His conclusion?— “If we lower the cholesterol count of everyone in the United States to below 150 mg%, we would probably wipe out heart disease.”

One of the most respected authorities on diabetes, Dr. James Anderson, after working with low-fat, low-protein, high-fiber, unrefined starchy food diets for fifteen years, stated, “Ninety-five percent of adult onset diabetics on oral drugs could be off such drugs in less than eight weeks, and 50 to 75 percent could normalize their blood sugar and get off all insulin within weeks.”

A few years ago, people thought a high-protein diet was best. But it was found that the highest rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis are found among those who consume the most protein. The average adult can do well on 50-60 grams of protein per day, which may easily be obtained from fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Many Americans consume 100 grams of protein or more per day. This overconsumption of protein increases urinary excretion of calcium and other minerals, weakens the bones, and places stress on the kidneys.

Athletes know that complex carbohydrates are the best fuel for our bodies, providing the most energy and endurance. Unrefined plant foods also provide the natural fiber necessary for health.

Animal products contain no fiber, but are loaded with cholesterol and excessive amounts of protein. Meats provide no carbohydrates, and are the single largest source of fat in the American diet.

It sounds too easy, but it’s true: A simple switch to a broad vegetarian diet would lower our fat and cholesterol, provide all the starches and fiber we need, guard against overconcentration of protein, and lower our blood pressure, our weight, and our chances of early death.

The Bible has much to say about the benefits of vegetarianism. Adam lived nearly a thousand years on a pure vegetarian diet. After the introduction of “clean” meats at the time of the flood, man’s lifespan was immediately cut by a third. After just a few generations of meat eating, people were dying at age 200. And just a few generations later Moses wrote, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off.” Psalm 90:10.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna for them—bread from heaven—and water from a rock. But many of them “fell a lusting” and said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat?” God had hoped to bring His people back to the original diet of Eden. Their craving for flesh meats greatly disappointed Him. So He gave them the flesh they wanted, but “while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. And ... there they buried the people that lusted.” Numbers 11:33, 34.

This experience was so significant to God’s people that it was recounted in its entirety in Psalm 78:18-31, and referred to again in Psalm 106:15, “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” God often allows us to have what we want, but the result is a loss of vitality both physically and spiritually.

Referring to the same event, Paul counsels, “We should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” 1 Corinthians 10:6.

Notice in these texts that eating flesh is associated with God’s displeasure: “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.” Proverbs 23:20. “Slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.” Isaiah 22:13.

When we consecrate our lives to the service of God, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Christians we are called to glorify God in all our habits and practices. We will seek to do all we can to live in the most healthful way possible, to the glory of God.

The book of Daniel, with its vital message, was written for us who live in “the time of the end.” How significant it is to us that the book of Daniel opens with the message of abstinence from rich and unwholesome foods, and emphasizes the benefits of a pure vegetarian diet!