Do you know the story of Daniel and his friends in the Bible (Daniel chapter 1)? Do you know what their health situation was after 10-days on plant-based diet compared to the others who ate the rich diet of the king? “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” Daniel 1:15. They were much healthier and brighter, and it was already obvious within just 10 days.
Can this happen today? Indeed, it does! We see it all the time in our 10-day Kick-Start to a New YOU! Cleanse! Find out more in my book HERE
I find it interesting Daniel did not request the diet of his ethnic heritage. He did not say give me a kosher diet. He requested “vegetables and water” [Daniel 1:12] so he would have a clear mind to stand true for God in a heathen nation. At the end of the 3-year training period, what rank were Daniel and his friends, compared to all the other wisemen in Babylon? “Ten times better and brighter than all the other wisemen.” [Daniel 1:20]. And if that occurred in Daniel’s case than what was the original diet God designed for man?
In the beginning there was a perfect God in perfect communion with a perfect people who consumed a perfect diet. Genesis 1:29-30 outlines God’s Perfect Diet Program. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Essentially God’s Perfect Diet Program for humanity was fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. On this kind of diet man was healthy and designed to live forever.
Part of the perfect environment in the Garden of Eden was the endowment of free will and choice. But sorrow of sorrows, Adam and Eve used their power of choice to oppose God, made a devastating decision, and had to leave the Garden of Eden. After they left the garden, God altered their diet to be a preservation diet; a diet to prevent disease and promote health now that man was prone to illness and disease due to sin. God said, “Now you will eat the green herb of the field.” Genesis 3:18. In herbs and vegetables are a complete pharmacy for prevention, maintenance, repair, and healing.
Let’s consider the benefits of plant foods, particularly green leafy vegetable, nuts and seeds.
Nutrient Rich: Green leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and parsley are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These nutrients play crucial roles in maintaining overall health, vitality and preventing disease.
Fiber: Found only in plant foods, fiber naturally reduces inflammation by binding up glucose, cholesterol, toxins, bacterium, and foreign entities that cause inflammation and eliminating them from the body. Beans are the king of fiber and can play an active role in maintaining a healthy mouth and gut microbiome providing prebiotics for the body to make probiotics. Vegetables are high in water and fiber content, making them naturally low calories foods, and therefore an excellent choice for weight management. The fiber and high nutrient content of whole plant foods helps you feel full and satisfied, making it easier to control your appetite and reduce caloric intake.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Many plant foods have anti-inflammatory properties due to their high content of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content. Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds especially known for their anti-cancer and disease fighting properties and are found abundantly in a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), and herbs. Plant foods are rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and flavonoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin, combating oxidative stress, eye diseases, inflammation, and neutralizing free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage cells and increase the risk of cancer.
Healthy Fats: Whole plant fats like walnuts, chia, flax, hemp, and other nuts and seeds, help improve brain function and decrease risk of depression, help lower LDL cholesterol levels, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation.
Magnesium: Found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables, magnesium plays a role in maintaining heart rhythm and muscle function and has a calming effect on our whole system, and able to tolerate stress and pressure more effectively.
Nitrate: Vegetables, particularly leafy greens like spinach and arugula, are rich in nitrates, which can help naturally thin the blood, lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health and blood circulation.
Detoxification support: Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, contain compounds that support the body's detoxification processes, helping to eliminate potentially carcinogenic and other harmful substances from the body.
Immune system support and brain function: Eating a plant-rich diet, and especially the green leafy vegetables, strengthens the immune system so it is better equipped to identify and eliminate cancerous cells and other rogue cells before they can proliferate. Green leafy vegetables and seeds such as flax, chia, hemp, have all been shown to reduce brain fog, and improve overall brain function and memory.
Vasodilation: Potassium found in green leafy vegetables helps open the blood vessels (vasodilation) and thus helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and improving blood circulation.
Improves Bone Health: A diet rich in fruits and green leafy vegetables are typically alkaline-forming, promoting preservation of bone mineral density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. High intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with better bone health outcomes.
Increasing whole plant foods into your diet will improve blood circulation, gut microbiome, and reduce risk of disease and disease complications.
How will you increase fruits and vegetables in your diet to cooperate with God and Start a New YOU®?
Would you like some help getting started? Check out our new Free Mini Course, Kickin’ Inflammation to the Curb HERE
Blue Skies,
Dana West, RDN, LD, ACLMDIP
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