This post was originally published in November of 2010. I thought it would be nice to re-post some of my old writings. This idea of being nutrition motivated instead of taste motivated has kept me on the path to better health. I no longer look at food in the same way. I have come a long way since I first wrote this. It has become easier to resist food that I know is not good for me because my desire is to give thanks to God through my food choices. I am now more than ever convinced that our eating habits are more than just a case of the “munchies”. Our eating habits are a direct reflection of how we view God’s provisions. 

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Genesis 1:29

Why is it that we think of food solely on whether it tastes good or not? We all do it. Maybe not all the time but most of us choose to eat something just because it tastes good but not necessarily good for us. I honestly think it’s the reason for the decline of health in our country to be taste motivated rather than nutrition motivated.
photo credit: mr.bologna

The funny thing is, our tastes change when our bodies are happy. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine about how I view food now verses how I viewed food a few years ago. Just a few years ago if you would have given me a slice of sprouted bread I would have looked at it and thrown it to the birds because obviously it had birdseed in it. Now I love sprouted bread. Did I loose my taste buds somewhere between then and now?  No, it’s because my body is telling me it’s good for me and now I crave better food. Did I crave better food the first time I eat better food? No, I thought it tasted like bird food and fed it to the birds. But over time, taking small steps toward eating right my body recognized the good food and my mind changed as well as my taste buds.

God created food that is good to eat.

The journey toward healthy living has been a slow process for me. It all started with a idea seed planted in my brain years ago and since then has grown and grown. I know there is still a lot for me to learn but just last year is when I really started thinking about what God’s perspective might be on food.

One thing I know for a fact is that God loves us. His love for us is sacrificial, tender, caring, disciplinary and perfect. God shows us His love through many areas of our lives. No matter what your situation in life is you can always identify God’s love. His love is in the night sky with it’s bright stars or in the sunrise with it’s brilliant colors. His love is in the design of our cells and organs and the mysteries held within the design of our brains. His love is in the food He created for us. photocredit: Elisabeth Voglsam

A perfect creator has designed food to fit our bodies. Why then do we take it and transform it into something that is so far from it’s original form.  I am still as guilty as anyone when it comes to how I eat food but my mind is changing. My mind is saying “Eat food that is closer to the way God designed it and it will be good to eat“.

Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; Genesis 2:9

From the very beginning God setup for us a way to be nourished physically as well as spiritually. Our physical nourishment comes in the form of  nutritious  food.
I am so thankful that God has not only created food for us to eat but that we can enjoy so many different types of food. Have you ever stopped and thought about all the different types of fruits and vegetables there are? So many different colors, shapes and sizes. Let’s not forget the wonderful tastes that comes from these nourishing creations. Then there are the wonderful breads that can be made from a vast number of grains. A caring Father has created good food for us to eat, so let’s thank Him by choosing to eat it. God is truly a loving Father.