Replacing the Food Pyramid – A Balanced Diet?

Today’s devotional focuses on a balanced diet.

Over many years kids have been taught about the food pyramid in school.   It was an attempt to encourage healthy eating and a balanced diet.  But in spite of everyone learning about the food pyramid, the percentage of overweight people has been vastly increasing over the years, and the fast food industry is growing.  So now the government has done away with the food pyramid and has replaced it with “MyPlate.” This new visual (in the form of a plate) suggests eating balanced portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy foods at each meal.

It seems to me that the problem with both the food pyramid and MyPlate is that they still are heavy on carbohydrates.  The fruits and grains on the “plate” can cause blood sugar surges and lead to craving to eat more.  A heavier emphasis on protein, dairy, and green vegetables on the plate would probably lead to better success in controlling weight.

However, that’s just my opinion.  There are always new changes in philosophies and research concerning nutrition and weight loss.  Who knows what recommendations and visuals the government will try after several years of trying MyPlate to teach us better eating habits.  Diets come and go, and some succeed with some of them, while others don’t.

But not so with our balanced spiritual diet.  The same recommended spiritual nutrients that worked 2000 years ago work now.  Let’s look at some of them.   

Psalm 34:8   Taste and see that the Lord is good.

John 6:35  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.  He that comes to me shall never hunger and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”

Speaking of God’s Word, the Psalmist writes in 119:103:  How sweet are your words to my taste –  sweeter than honey to my mouth.

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow from it.

Psalm 111:5  He has given food to those who fear Him.

Hebrews 5:13-14  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But meat belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Acts 14:17   God did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

1 Corinthians 11:26  As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He come.

Besides reading the Scriptures, reading devotional books can benefit you.  They are not a replacement for the Bible, but often they highlight certain Scriptures and bring focus to your time alone with God.

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