Some Foods Damage, Others Heal

Food pyramid from ihelt.com

In my previous posts, I have mentioned the need to eat real food, which means whole foods that have not been man-made or processed.  I've also mentioned the need to avoid other foods that damage your body, particularly the four white poisons -- dairy, refined sugar, refined salt, and refined white flour. 

While I have studied this topic extensively from many sources over the years, one excellent source of information I've found is Bee Wilder.  She has a website called Healing Naturally by Bee.  In this post, I'd like to highlight a few things she teaches, which I think are key.

On her home page, she states: " 'Real' food is medicine! Unprocessed foods direct from nature nourish your body so it can heal itself. Your health is damaged and deteriorated by processed foods, foods that are microwaved or irradiated (zapped with radiation), and foods not properly prepared for human consumption."

Foods That Heal
She gives an excellent list of healthy foods.  Her list includes dairy, but based on our research, we concluded that it is definitely not healthy and we have eliminated it from our diet.

One of the things you probably don't expect to see on the list are saturated fats.  She points out a fact that many experts have found, which is that our bodies actually need saturated fats.  This includes all animal fats, and certain other saturated fats like cold-pressed, virgin olive oil, as well as virgin coconut oil. 

Contrary to a myth that was created in the 1950's by a biochemist named Ancel Keys, fat and cholesterol do not cause heart disease.  There's an entertaining video called the Big Fat Lie, which covers this.  But I'd encourage you to also read what Bee has to say about saturated fats.

Stay away from the unnatural oils that contain unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like corn, soy, safflower, and canola oil.  These go through a hydrogenation process that makes them very unhealthy for your body.

Foods That Damage
I recommend Wilder's article called Foods that Damage, Foods that Heal.  In addition to listing the healthy foods, she gives quite a comprehensive list of foods that damage your body.  In addition to the ones I've already mentioned, these include grains, nuts, seeds and legumes that have not been properly prepared, and including all products containing them, irradiated and microwaved foods, pasteurized foods and foods that are processed using high heat, genetically modified foods, soy and soybean-based foods, as well as supplements and products containing soy.  She states, "Foods must be free of additives, pesticides, heavy metals, irradiation, neurotoxins (MSG, carrageenan, etc.), nitrates, sulphites, etc."

It's important to note that during biblical history there was no such thing as processed or pasteurized food as we know it today.  Prior to the industrial revolution, "food processing" was limited to crude methods like natural fermentation, sun drying, smoking, or preserving with natural salt.  The food that Jesus and the apostles ate did not contain chemical pesticides, additives, growth hormones, nitrates, sulphites, or neurotoxins.  You can be sure they ate whole foods, free of these toxins, which are real food that nourishes your body.  And their bodies were vessels fit for the Master's use.

Let me just say a word about MSG, which is an acronym for monosodium glutamate.  If you are not aware of the dangers of this poison, I highly recommend your do your research.  This substance is a commonly used flavor enhancer in food.  Most fast foods contain MSG.  It's found in many canned and packaged products westerners eat, including soups, as well as dressings and fast foods. The label will not always say monosodium glutamate or MSG.  Often times when there is MSG in a product, it may simply state "natural flavorings" or some other pseudonym. MSG has been linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, asthma, obesity, and a host of other diseases. A good place to start your research is with this video. Some other sources of info on this are the following:

MSG Linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Degenerative Disease by Kathryn Picoulin
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about MSG
Monosodium Glutamate MSG Health Dangers and Side Effects of Toxic Additives
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Causes Obesity
MSG Dangers and Deceptions

Putting it All Together
These are just a few resources I'd like to provide for you to educate yourself on which foods damage and which foods heal your body.  As we have implemented these changes into our family's diet, we have seen a significant measure of health restored in a number of areas in our family, including sinus headaches, asthma, and seborrhea.  I hope you will find this helpful, and begin making the changes in your diet to remove the toxins and consume the real foods that God created for you to enjoy.

If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ already, this information can help you take the practical steps necessary to be a vessel fit for the Master's use.  But if you are not yet one of His disciples, you can't become one by trying to purify yourself physically.  Only He can cleanse your heart and make you whole.  He loves you with an everlasting love, and He died upon the cross for you, in order to wash away your sin and enable you to be in right relationship with God.  That's why I'd like to invite you to give your whole life to Him today.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Author's note: This post is part of a series.  If you enjoyed it, you may also like the other posts in this blog available through the links in the side bar, such as Some Foods Damage and Others Heal and The Benefits of Eating Well. You may also access my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  The views expressed in this blog are not intended as medical advice to treat any condition.  Rather they are my personal opinions based on my own research, and do not necessarily represent the views of Doulos Missions International.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Eat What is Set Before You

Jesus gave instructions to His disciples for their ministry of traveling and preaching the gospel. It required them to find a man of peace in a town or city they entered and then stay with that person who would welcome them. He did not want them to become a burden to their hosts, but rather a blessing. So He taught them, "Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;” (Luk 10:8).

These same instructions apply to us today. When we begin to follow these strict, extreme diets that severely limit what we can and cannot eat we can get into weirdness. Can you imagine if those of us today who travel for the gospel would complain about the food our host places before us? Can you imagine this scenario? A preacher sits down at the table in someone’s home, and says, “I can’t eat any of these, because I’m following a special diet.” And then he tells his host which foods he can eat. This could create a big problem for his host, especially if they are poor or have a large family to feed.

Now when I have stayed in people’s homes, I am often asked by the hostess whether I have any dietary restrictions she should know about. This is very kind. But if they don’t ask, then whatever they set before me, I give thanks and eat it. There have been a couple exceptions to this, when I am visiting someone and they put out some desserts that I cannot eat. I may graciously decline for health reasons. But if I am staying there and they are feeding me a meal, then I cannot reject the meal they have prepared. I’m just grateful they have received me with such love and prepared some food for me to eat.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note: This post is part of a series.  If you enjoyed it, you may also like the other posts in this blog available through the links in the side bar. You may also access my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Checking Your Heart

In the opening post of this blog, I mentioned the prophesy of Moses to the Israelites, when he said, "If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I put upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord your healer." Ex 15:26.

Here we find a direct link between our lifestyle and our health. God sent many plagues upon the Egyptians in the form of diseases. Yet He promised His people Israel that He would put none of these diseases upon those who listen to the Lord’s voice, do what’s right in His eyes, and obey His commandments. He promised to be the Lord our Healer. We’ll call this divine health.

But for those who disobey the Lord, they open themselves up to a hard life filled with physical and mental illness and disease. This is a radical truth that is completely omitted from the secular, worldly teachings on health and nutrition. They seek divine health through their own power, or through some other metaphysical phenomenon, and not God’s way. But they do so in vain.

Next time you want to assess your health condition, consider checking your spiritual heart before having a doctor listen to your physical heart. Instead of listening to your cardiovascular system, check to see if you are listening to the Lord's voice and obeying His commands. The results of this kind of evaluation can reveal a lot more about your health than you think.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. 

Author's note: This post is part of a series.  If you enjoyed it, you may also like the other posts in this blog available through the links in the side bar. You may also access my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Bible is Our Guide

People approach health and wellness in different ways. Some do so in according to traditional medicine. They feel that the medical doctor is the expert regarding healthcare and that they will submit themselves to whatever he or she says. They simply trust that the doctor knows best.

Others will ask more questions of the doctor, and even go for a second opinion. They see the medical doctor as more of an expert consultant to speak with about their condition. They may look to the doctor to help them to better understand their condition and diagnose it, and provide a prognosis and treatment plan. But beyond that, they decide what to do with the information and decide on a course of action from there.

Still others prefer doctors who treat things holistically, and treat not only the body, but the mind, and spirit as well. Some people only go to naturopathic doctors, who use natural cures, such as herbs, nutritional remedies, and exercise plans to help their patients get well.

Then there are the do-it-yourself people, who go online and research their condition to find out everything they can about it and discover a natural way to treat it. They chose to blaze their own trail, become an expert on the matter, and make their own decisions. But they choose to avoid traditional medicine, along with its use of surgeries and pharmaceutical solutions to treat people.

Another group are those people who believe all sickness is psychosomatic, and they think can get well by exercising proper mental control over their condition. Finally there are those who believe exclusively in faith healing. This group refuses to use any of the above approaches, but relies solely on prayer and faith for healing.

Due to some recent health issues in our family, we’ve been praying and trusting the Lord to bring healing. We have seen Him do this many times in answer to believing prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. And this is another opportunity to trust Him.

But since we have not seen an immediate healing, I have prayed for wisdom, and have been doing a lot of research online for natural solutions. Many times I have found natural remedies that bring relief and healing.

But with all these approaches and all the voices speaking about healthcare, it would do us well to go back to the Bible and see what it teaches us. The Bible is a guide for living healthy physical and emotional lives. It provides us with instructions for good health and abundant life. And unfortunately it is missing from most teachings about health in the medical world, as well as the holistic and naturopathic community. So let’s begin by Checking Your Heart.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. 

Author's note: This post is part of a series.  If you enjoyed it, you may also like the other posts in this blog available through the links in the side bar. You may also access my blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.