What are Bible foods? The Bible clarifies the foods we should and shouldn’t eat. Clean and unclean foods. It is wise to listen and follow these clearly stated guidelines, not to earn God’s favor, but in order to live the fullest life, He wants you to live.
We also need to readjust our thinking of what food is according to the one who created us so we can know how to identify the substances that pass as food in our time in history and make better choices.
In the beginning, God created every plant yielding seed and every tree yielding fruit to be food (Gen. 1:29-30).
Then, after the flood, He says everything that lived and moved about was to be food (Gen. 9:3). The exception was meat that still possessed lifeblood, meaning living animals, as their life is existent in their blood.
Later, Leviticus 11 defines what can be considered clean when it comes to animals, fish, and even insects:
3: You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.
9: Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales.
22: Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper.
But with even more passing of time, it is important to ask, which of these foods on God’s health plan are most critical for today? Knowing not just what is clean to consume, but which foods deliver life to your body, spirit, and soul. When the body functions properly, the spirit is closer to God.
Today you will learn:
- The two most abusing foods to your body that were not consumed in Bible times that you must avoid
- The two most important body systems to nurture first
- Foods the Bible says you should definitely not eat and why
- And the 15 biblical power foods to eat every week that will provide excellent health
Not All Food Is Created Equal
When it comes to digestion and nutrition, not all food is good or helpful. Bible foods contain natural vitamins and nutrients to support an abundant and healthy life. From the type of sugars you eat to the grains you choose, everything can affect your gut health.
Incorporating the right power foods every week will help harmonize your gut, bring health benefits to support an abundant life.
You might be asking what kind of food did people consume in the Bible. At that time, people ate a diet with mostly plant-based foods, such as herbs, lentils, wheat and barley, fruits, and vegetables. People also ate a lot of fish, nuts, and natural oils. Raw honey was a natural source of sugar. Oil was made from the fruit of olive trees. In the Bible, it was a land of wheat with fig trees and pomegranates.
Two Kinds of Sugar
While there are several specific types of sugar, they can be broken down into simple and complex sugars.
Simple Sugars
Simple sugars are made up of only one or two molecules, making them break down really fast in the body. This is what causes the sugar rush, a spike in blood sugar levels that does not last very long.
Complex Sugars
On the other hand, complex sugars have more molecules and take a long time to break down in the system. This leads to steadier blood sugar levels and is best for digestion and health.
Additionally, complex sugars are in everything natural from raw honey and bitter herbs, to wheat and barley.
The sugars found in fruit, vegetables, and grains are more of a complex sugar. This is sugar as it was meant to be consumed. Moreover, the table sugar used in cookies and high fructose corn syrup that is typically added to items you buy in stores is more of a simple, fast-burning sugar.
How you receive your sugars in your diet will greatly affect your brain and gut health.
Cakes and sweet snacks should be sweetened naturally with fruits and raw honey. A man shall eat well by the fruits of his mouth (Proverbs 13:2).
The Bible provides a list of amazing foods for a healthy diet that have natural sugars.
How You Receive the Foods
Sugar found in natural form, like in fruits and vegetables, is how God intended people to obtain it.
The body takes time to break down those natural food sources, regulating your gut health and maintaining natural body weight.
Eating sugar in the form of sweets and soda contributes to obesity and unhealthy food addictions.
The Two-Body Systems that Affect them All
Your gut and brain are affected by everything you put into your body.
Eating food the way God intended and consuming the bible foods helps to create a healthy, balanced gut and brain.
These foods fight depression, anxiety, hormone problems, fuzzy memory, mood swings and more. Learn more in this video:
There has been and continues to be much research in the Brain-Gut connection, but we have discovered absolutely that what we consume affects these two essential body systems.
If your diet consists mostly of manufactured foods, your brain becomes sluggish and your gut becomes unbalanced.
Fresh is always best when it comes to food.
How your brain perceives foods will drastically affect your taste for foods. Is food an addiction? Is food used as a reward system?
Instead of store-bought cookies, use raw honey as a sweet treat. Replace regular sugar in bread with honey.
Furthermore, replace vegetable oil with olive oil.
Instead of consuming too much of meaty meals, eat beans. After all, beans are a natural source of protein.
What Foods are Unclean that the Bible Says Not to Eat?
Unclean foods in the Bible include animals such as pigs, goats, oxen, vultures, owls, catfish, crabs, and snakes.
They are considered unclean because they carry diseases and eat unclean diets themselves.
When you eat these “unclean” foods you eat everything they consume, the trash of the earth they were created to clean gets in your body and it fights against abundant physical life.
It is from a place of love and knowledge of what these animals’ roles are that God shares with his kids why eating these foods is not the brightest idea.
You wouldn’t eat food from your vacuum bag, don’t eat these animals that are the earth’s vacuum cleaners.
15 Biblical Power Foods
The Bible is an excellent resource for healthy foods our body needs.
Furthermore, three biblical health principles help to build a relationship with the Lord by discovering how God intended a harmonious balance of body, spirit, and soul.
God created many foods that are designed to prevent diseases, treat symptoms, and even reverse health conditions. These are just some of those biblical foods that heal, which you should consider adding to your daily meals.
Figs
The Bible mentioned figs over 50 times. They symbolized Israel, as well as the nation’s spiritual and physical health. In fact, I have a video that talks about the fig tree’s spiritual symbolism. Check it out and learn about its fascinating biblical background right here:
As for the health benefits of figs, there are plenty. For instance, they are packed with fiber. One single fig contains 2 grams of fiber. When you have fiber in your diet, it helps with the elimination process. Your body will have an easier time getting rid of waste in your body.
If you are trying to lose weight, figs are also great for that. The fiber content keeps you full while at the same time balancing your blood sugar levels. It helps stop cravings and unnecessary eating, which is good for your weight loss goals.
Aside from fiber, figs are also a fantastic source of magnesium, vitamin K, calcium, and potassium. You can also get your vitamin C, flavonoids, and alkaloids from figs.
And guess what? Figs also have potent anticancer and antioxidant properties. More reasons to eat figs daily!
Dates
In the Biblical days, people used dates to make honey. It is a great, natural sweetener to enhance the flavor of your recipes. Use dates instead of traditional sugar in your recipes such as cakes and smoothies. But other than being used as a sweetener, did you know that dates are high in nutrients?
They are a rich source of vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and calcium. A serving of dates also gives you a good amount of beta carotene and copper. So if you need a quick snack or a sugar substitute for your tea, cake, and baked goodies, dates should be an excellent choice.
Olives
Did you know that olives are a symbol of peace and God’s love for His people? Moreover, olives are also Bible foods. These are “power foods”!
They are natural antihistamines, which help those who suffer from allergies. Since they are all-natural, they do not cause any of those nasty side effects. Olives can also help lower the risk of inflammation. If you experience painful joints and muscles, olives should be able to help with that.
Another interesting fact about olives is that they contain a powerful antioxidant called glutathione. This helps neutralize free radicals, which is great for keeping you not only physically healthy but youthful, as well.
If you want to learn more about the physical and spiritual benefits, you want to catch this video:
Pomegranates
These fruits are among the most beautiful fruits in Israel.
Robes of high priests had images of pomegranates stitched into the hem. You can also find carvings on top of the pillars that depict pomegranates, especially outside King Solomon’s temple.
But more than their beauty, pomegranates are recognized for their health benefits. They are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and even anticancer. Studies have shown the impressive components of pomegranates, which help people who suffer from different types of cancer such as lung, breast, skin, colon, and prostate cancer.
Grapes
Do you love to eat grapes? Or do you enjoy drinking good, organic wine in moderation? Thus, you are surely enjoying one of the most nutritious foods God has created, which are grapes.
Grapes, specifically Muscadine grapes, are teeming with health benefits. It prevents DNA damage, thanks to its high resveratrol content. With its ability to fight free radical damage, it helps you look and feel younger naturally.
In a scientific study, it was observed that grape juices and red wines contain a notable amount of polyphenolics. This has antiplatelet and antioxidant properties that can help with oxidative stress. By protecting your body from oxidative stress, you reduce your chances of having Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Bread
Who could ever resist warm, soft, freshly-baked bread? But more than its amazing taste, it’s also good for you. Well, as long as it’s made from quality ingredients such as whole wheat.
In fact, wheat berries are a great source of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. By munching healthy bread, you are also feeding your body all the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Wheat berries also contain vitamin E. This is a very valuable antioxidant that can help protect you from various cancer types such as prostate, colon, and breast cancer. It is also good for your immune system because of the zinc, manganese, and iron component in bread.
Speaking of bread, here’s a highly nutritious and super tasty bread recipe you can make. It’s something that I’m sure the whole family will enjoy!
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are among the top best biblical foods that heal. I always tell my clients and my students about the outstanding health benefits that cruciferous vegetables offer. Cruciferous vegetables are from the Brassicaceae family. They are noted for their cross-like flowers, which is just apt for the name “cruciferous”.
As for their nutritional value, they are packed with vitamins A, C, and K. And of course, they are fiber-rich, too! They help fight cancer, promote weight loss, balance your blood sugar, keep your heart healthy, and reduce inflammation. This post gives you an in-depth understanding of what cruciferous vegetables are and why they are good for the body.
Leafy Greens
Lastly, we have leafy greens – and they are just that, leafy and green. Homegrown herbs mean you can pull seasonings out of your garden whenever you need them.
Other leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and collard greens are rich in vitamins, have a lot of fiber, and even have a little protein. Consuming them raw balances your gut and fuels your brain, helping to feel better.
Nuts
Raw nuts, meaning unroasted and without salt, are rich in omega oils, protein, and fiber. They are heart-healthy, full of antioxidants, and can help maintain good cholesterol. But be careful as too much touching can break down those healthy oils.
Apples
Eating one organic a day helps grow healthy gut bacteria. Organic is always best because you never know what pesticides and preservatives are on store-bought apples.
Additionally, organic apples have a resistant starch to help healthy bacteria grow, supporting natural digestion of B vitamins. B vitamins are the happy vitamin!
Pumpkin seeds
Do you like pumpkin seeds? These seeds are excellent for the digestive track and great for men’s prostate health. Just eat them like peanuts and store them in an airtight glass jar. They are full of vitamins and minerals.
Fish oils
Just like olive oil, fish oils are packed with brain boosting omega oils. Eating wild caught fish at least once a week helps to support gut and brain health.
Berries
They may be tiny but berries are full of antioxidants and flavonoids. In fact, they are great to balance the gut and obtain a natural form of sugar and fiber.
Lentils
Then, we have lentils. These Bible foods are an excellent source of fiber and are a form of resistant starch that help healthy bacteria grow (just like organic apples). It is recommended to eat them once a week to maintain a healthy gut, but at least once a month if you’re not a big fan.
Chocolate
Who doesn’t love some chocolate?! Raw cacao, which is 80-90% dark chocolate, is packed with antioxidants and can tame those sweet cravings. It’s even better when the chocolate is made with honey. It is not recommended to eat anything under 70% as the bad form of sugar increases. In turn, this decreases the amount of antioxidants in it.
Watch this quick video I made to learn more about these power foods.
Conclusion
Maintain your health and enjoy abundant living by avoiding what God says should be avoided and relishing in all the amazing foods He’s given us to enjoy!
He is good and His ways are trustworthy!
I hope you have been encouraged to learn about the 15 bible power foods. Blessings!
You mention goat and oxen as being unclean, but these are explicitly stated as clean animals in the Torah. (See Exodus 12:5 for example)
Thank you for your comment. I agree with your statement. Unfortunately it makes you wonder how much research was done before this article. Goats and oxen are both considered clean/kosher animals according to the written and oral Torah
Thank you for noticing this – it was an error that I have corrected!