Counsels on Diet and Foods

1. Embrace God's Divine Mandate for Health

"It is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break the ten commandments. To do either is to break God’s laws."

Divine ownership. Our bodies are God's property, created and redeemed by Him. Misusing our physical powers dishonors Him, as every faculty is a gift to be cultivated for His glory and the good of others. Maintaining physical and mental health is our first duty, as neglecting it leads to suffering and hinders our capacity for good.

Obedience to natural law. God is the author of both moral and physical laws, inscribed on every part of our being. Disregarding these natural laws is a sin, leading to disease and premature death. Ignorance is no excuse, as divine light has been given to guide us toward healthful living, requiring us to change health-destroying habits.

Glorifying God. We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. A body filled with disease and corruption, or a mind clouded by intemperance, cannot truly glorify Him. True health reform, therefore, is a matter of obedience, self-development, and spiritual preparation for eternal life.

2. Recognize Diet's Profound Impact on Spirituality and Mind

"A close sympathy exists between the physical and the moral nature."

Interconnectedness of being. None who profess godliness should regard the body's health with indifference, believing intemperance won't affect spirituality. The physical and moral natures are closely linked; a diseased body and disordered intellect, often from indulging hurtful lusts, make sanctification impossible.

Mental clarity. Indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification. A clogged stomach means a clogged brain, making it difficult to comprehend spiritual truths or appreciate eternal things. Conversely, an abstemious diet increases mental and moral vigor, aiding discernment between right and wrong.

Spiritual perception. Unnatural stimulants and unhealthful foods benumb the brain, making it impossible to appreciate eternal things or value the atonement. Those who indulge appetite often bear an accusing conscience, becoming offended by straight truths and losing interest in spiritual assemblies.

3. Return to the Creator's Original, Simple Diet

"Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator."

God's original plan. To understand the best foods, we must study God's initial design for humanity's diet. In Eden, man was given fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables. This diet, prepared simply and naturally, is the most healthful and nourishing, imparting strength, endurance, and intellectual vigor.

A call to return. The Lord desires to lead His people back to this original diet, free from the flesh of dead animals. This shift encourages a liking for fruits and grains, aligning with God's initial design. Such a diet is not only healthful but also aids in quick perception and saves expense and labor.

Adequate and varied. While simplicity is key, an impoverished diet is not recommended. God has provided an ample variety of healthful foods, and each person should choose what suits their individual needs, climate, and occupation. The diet should be nourishing, well-cooked, and varied to prevent monotony and ensure proper sustenance.

4. Guard Against the Dangers of Indulgence and Overeating

"Overeating is the sin of this age."

Root of degeneracy. Intemperance in eating, even of wholesome food, is a common and serious sin. It overtaxes the stomach, weakens digestive organs, and burdens the entire system, leading to disease and premature death. This indulgence has contributed to the physical, mental, and moral degeneracy of the human race since the Fall.

Clogging the machinery. Eating too much, or too many kinds of food at one meal, clogs the living machine, exhausting vitality and depressing the intellect. This often results in:

• Headaches and indigestion
• Drowsiness and sluggish thoughts
• Irritability and confused judgment
• Weakened moral power

Lessons from history. From Adam and Eve's first sin to the gluttony of Noah's and Lot's days, unrestrained appetite has led to moral corruption and divine judgment. Christ's victory over appetite in the wilderness serves as an example that we too can conquer through self-denial and divine strength.

5. Eliminate Harmful Stimulants and Unwholesome Foods

"The only safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not, tea, coffee, wines, tobacco, opium, and alcoholic drinks."

Poisonous effects. Tea, coffee, and tobacco are stimulating poisons that irritate the stomach, poison the blood, and excite the nerves. Their use leads to exhaustion, prostration, and paralysis of mental, moral, and physical powers, blunting spiritual perception and fostering an appetite for stronger stimulants.

Flesh meats. Flesh was never the best food, and its use is now doubly objectionable due to increasing disease in animals. Meat eating is linked to:

• Cancers, tumors, and inflammatory diseases
• Corrupted blood and weakened constitutions
• Decreased mental vigor and strengthened animal passions
• Sudden death, often without the cause being recognized

Other harmful items. Spices, condiments, and excessive sugar irritate the stomach, cause unnatural cravings, and make the blood feverish and impure. Soda and baking powder are harmful, causing inflammation and poisoning the system. Cheese is also deemed objectionable and unfit for food.

6. Master the Art of Healthful Cookery and Regular Eating

"There is more religion in a loaf of good bread than many think."

Skillful preparation. Poor cooking is a sin that impairs digestive organs and produces ill health and bad tempers. The art of properly preparing healthful, palatable, and nourishing food is a science of utmost importance, worthy of higher commendation than many other occupations. Every woman, and even men, should learn this skill.

Simplicity and variety. Food should be prepared simply, free from grease and excessive spices, yet with a nicety that invites appetite. While avoiding too many kinds at one meal, the menu should be varied from meal to meal and day to day to prevent monotony and ensure adequate nutrition.

Regularity is vital. Meals should be eaten at specified, regular intervals, with at least five to six hours between them. Eating between meals, or late suppers, overtaxes the digestive organs, disturbs sleep, and impairs mental clarity. Two meals a day are generally preferable for most individuals.

7. Adopt Progressive Reform While Avoiding Extremes

"The diet reform should be progressive."

Gradual changes. Health reform should be progressive, not radical or forced. People cannot change lifelong habits abruptly. Strenuous, immediate restrictions, especially for those accustomed to rich diets or those in new countries with limited food options, can lead to discouragement, ill-health, and discredit the reform.

Nourishing alternatives. When discarding unwholesome foods like meat, milk, or butter, it is crucial to supply their place with wholesome, palatable, and inexpensive alternatives. An impoverished diet, lacking proper nourishment, brings reproach upon health reform and can lead to physical weakness and disease.

Wisdom and moderation. Extremists who rigidly enforce one-sided ideas or meager diets do more harm than good, creating prejudice against health reform. We must exercise good judgment, adapting diet to individual needs, climate, and circumstances, always ensuring sufficient nourishment and avoiding arbitrary exactions.

8. Champion Health Education as a Core Mission

"Education in health principles was never more needed than now."

Widespread need. Despite modern advancements, physical vigor is declining, making health education critically important. Many transgress health laws through ignorance, while others know better but need to be impressed with the importance of applying that knowledge. This education is essential for moral elevation and spiritual progress.

Integrated approach. Health reform is closely connected with the third angel's message, acting as an "entering wedge" to reach hearts. It should be taught by precept and example in homes, churches, schools, and sanitariums. Cooking schools and hygienic restaurants are vital for demonstrating healthful food preparation and promoting temperance.

Compassionate teaching. Workers must approach health education with tact and courtesy, meeting people where they are. Instead of condemning wrong habits, present something better—the peace of Christ and the benefits of healthful living. The ultimate aim is to point sin-sick souls to the Great Physician, restoring both physical and spiritual health.

Last updated: January 5, 2026