Diet has become one of the most dreaded words in the English language...
Eat, Drink, and Get Motivated
by John Brummitt
Diet has become one of the most dreaded words in the American vocabulary! But as we continue this series of articles about wellness, consider the following simple changes in diet that will lead to a healthier self.
Throughout the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites strict rules about the types of food and drink they were allowed to consume. From a nutritional standpoint, those nutritional guidelines include the same things scientists and doctors tell us we should eat today—things that are better for our bodies.
How then can we think that God is not concerned about the food we eat today? I have always found it odd that we ask Him to bless our meals, to make the food “nourishing to our bodies,” when we eat such things as fried chicken, potatoes, and biscuits. While I believe it is possible for God to change unhealthy food to healthy (as he did in 2 Kings 4:38-41 when Elisha was called upon to save the people from the poisonous stew) I don’t believe that gives us the freedom to eat however and whatever we want all the time.
Addition by Substitution
Addition is easier than subtraction. Dieting is hard, and few people are successful. One reason is that we force ourselves to exchange the things we like for things we hate. Obviously, we would all much rather eat an Oreo cookie than a carrot stick. Unless we have super strong will power, a 180° turn will hardly last a month before we “fall off the wagon.”
If we eat healthy foods first, however, and still allow for a moderate number of Oreos, we are more likely to stick to our changes in diet. Visit mypyramid.gov to find the foods you need daily to maintain a healthy diet. Set a goal to eat those items, along with whatever else you want. You will find that when you eat the healthy options first, you will remain full and not crave unhealthy foods as often. Although you may not cut out the junk completely, you will reduce your intake.
The Soda Solution
Another easy way to change our diets dramatically is to guard what we drink. The Institute of Medicine advises men to consume roughly 3 liters (13 cups) of total beverages a day. Women should consume 2.2 liters (9 cups) a day. If your only choice of beverage is soda, the recommended amount will contain 1,190 calories, endanger your teeth, and strain your kidneys. Also consider the amount of sugar in the soda. One pound of sugar is equal to 3,500 calories. A day’s worth of soda contains almost a third pound of sugar.
In contrast, water has no calories or sugar, and besides quenching thirst, it also removes toxins that build up in our bodies from daily activities. When we drink more water, weight loss accelerates. Studies show that people who drink more water are happier in general. The benefits of drinking water are not only limited to the body; they include mental health. So, drink your water, people!
Find a Support Group
Another reason many of us fail to make long-term changes in our eating habits is that we feel as though we are the only ones trying to change. Instead of trying to do it all on your own, join a group that will be there for you when you want to order a large pizza for dinner or polish off a half-gallon of ice cream for desert. Tell your family and friends you are going to make these changes, and ask them to keep you in check.
If you can’t find a group, start one. Many people are willing to do something; they just don’t know where to start. Having a group to lean on, to share recipes with, and to share both struggles and successes will help you take better care of the temple God has entrusted to you.
When I was younger, I used to joke, “I don’t worry about this body because I am getting a new one when I got to Heaven.” Only in the last few years have I realized that this is not my body to treat however I want. It was bought with a price, and the least I can do is respect it and take care of it.
In the next article, we will turn our attention to the important roles that sleep and exercise play in our overall health and wellness. Americans don’t get enough of either, and it is affecting the quality of our lives.
About the Writer: A 2004 graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College, John Brummitt is business manager for the Free Will Baptist Board of Retirement. He began working for the board in the spring of 2006. An avid runner and founder of a middle-Tennessee running club, he chairs the wellness committee for the Free Will Baptist National Offices.
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